FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: Nicky Daniel Bacon ~ July 19, 2010

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[Kathy in Alaska]

 

Our Troops Rock!  Thank you for all you do!

For the freedom you enjoyed yesterday... Thank the Veterans who served in The United States Armed Forces.

Looking forward to tomorrow's freedom? Support The United States Armed Forces Today!

---

~ Hall of Heroes ~

Nicky Daniel Bacon

(Info found here.)

           

On Saturday, July 17th, another Medal of Honor recipient left us to guard the streets of heaven.  Thank you, sir, for your service to our country.

 

 

Nicky Daniel "Nick" Bacon (November 25, 1945 – July 17, 2010) was a United States Army first sergeant from the Americal Division who served during the Vietnam War. For his actions in combat in Tam Ky, Vietnam, Bacon was awarded America's highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor.

Bacon was born in Caraway, Arkansas, and enlisted in the U.S. Army in Phoenix, Arizona. He reached the rank of staff sergeant while serving his second combat tour in Vietnam as part of the 21st Infantry Regiment, 11th Infantry Brigade of the Americal Division. On August 26, 1968, while commanding a squad of the first platoon of Company B, 4th Battalion in an operation west of Tam Ky, Bacon and his unit came under fire from enemy positions. While Bacon destroyed these positions with hand grenades, his platoon leader was wounded in open ground. Assuming command, Bacon led the platoon to destroy the remaining enemy emplacements.

When the third platoon of Bravo Company lost their own leader, Bacon took command of that platoon as well as his own and led both platoons against enemy positions. During the evacuation of the wounded, Bacon climbed the side of a nearby tank to gain a vantage point and direct fire into enemy positions, despite his exposure to enemy fire. He was personally credited with killing at least 4 enemy soldiers and destroying an anti-tank gun.

For his actions in this battle, Bacon was awarded the Medal of Honor. For his distinguished military service in Vietnam and throughout his career, he also received the Distinguished Service Cross, the Legion of Merit, two Bronze Stars (with combat "V"), the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantryman Badge, and numerous other awards and decorations.

After the war, Bacon continued to serve in the Army until his retirement as a first sergeant. He later served as president of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society and Director of Veterans' Affairs for the State of Arkansas. In the 1990s he traveled to Vietnam as part of a POW/MIA task force and traveled to Israel at the invitation of Jewish veterans, urging the Israeli government not to cede the Golan Heights to Syria. Bacon also became a veterans' advocate.

Bacon died July 17, 2010, at his home in Rose Bud, Arkansas.

 

Bacon's official citation reads:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. S/Sgt. Bacon distinguished himself while serving as a squad leader with the 1st Platoon, Company B, during an operation west of Tam Ky. When Company B came under fire from an enemy bunker line to the front, S/Sgt. Bacon quickly organized his men and led them forward in an assault. He advanced on a hostile bunker and destroyed it with grenades. As he did so, several fellow soldiers including the 1st Platoon leader, were struck by machine gun fire and fell wounded in an exposed position forward of the rest of the platoon. S/Sgt. Bacon immediately assumed command of the platoon and assaulted the hostile gun position, finally killing the enemy gun crew in a single-handed effort. When the 3d Platoon moved to S/Sgt. Bacon's location, its leader was also wounded. Without hesitation S/Sgt. Bacon took charge of the additional platoon and continued the fight. In the ensuing action he personally killed 4 more enemy soldiers and silenced an antitank weapon. Under his leadership and example, the members of both platoons accepted his authority without question. Continuing to ignore the intense hostile fire, he climbed up on the exposed deck of a tank and directed fire into the enemy position while several wounded men were evacuated. As a result of S/Sgt. Bacon's extraordinary efforts, his company was able to move forward, eliminate the enemy positions, and rescue the men trapped to the front. S/Sgt. Bacon's bravery at the risk of his life was in the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.

 

Please remember the Canteen is here to honor, support and entertain our troops and their families.  This is a politics-free zone!  Thanks for helping us in our mission! 

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, AZ, and thanks for the red, white, and blue tribute.

[BIGLOOK]

Aloha Doc! Hope things have cooled down up there. Got off the phone with my brother in Mi. and he said the weather's fine.....warmer than last summer (which wasn't much of a summer) but not the sweltering heatwave that's going thorough the east.

[Arrowhead1952]

Good morning to everyone at the Canteen. It's been hot here today. I was hoping for some showers, but not one headed our way now.

[ConorMacNessa]

We were 94F this afternoon in Downtown DC - Not quite as bad at home - 88F. We're down to 80F at 10:00 pm.

Lamh Foistenach Abu!

[PROCON]

Hey FRiend, what's up?!

About 72 degrees here today in my part of Oregon.

How's that globalwarming treating ya?!

[oldteen]

Good evening Kathy. Thank you Star for tonights Hall of Heroes. Thank you as well, Kathy! *hugs*

[luvie]

Good evening, Early Bird! Fancy seeing you in the evening! LOL!

Sorry you didn’t get your showers. We haven’t either, so
tomorrow we start watering again. Cha-ching!

Looks like we are hotter than you right now, too. Of course,
here in the desert it will cool down nicely overnight...thank goodness!

[ConorMacNessa]

Good evening, Teenie!

*HUGS*

How are you doing tonite?

Lamh Foistenach Abu!

[ConorMacNessa]

Good evening, Luv!

*HUGS*

How are you doing this evening?

Lamh Foistenach Abu!

[oldteen]

Evenin’ everyone! Hope your day was cooler than mine :). *hugs*

[oldteen]

Howdy LUVVY! Howz TX survivin? *hugs*

[luvie]

"....and they will soar on wings like Eagles;
they will run and not grow weary....."
God rest the soul of a hero!

[PROCON]

It was a sweltering 72 degrees here in the mid-willamette valley, don't know how much more I can take!

How about you?!

[oldteen]

I’m good, thanks. Just got back from dinner out with the daughter and 2 of the grandchildren. A new American/Asian place opened up so we had to try it out :).

[ConorMacNessa]

REST IN PEACE, FALLEN BROTHER!

SSgt. Sheldon L. Tate, USA, 782nd Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division; KIA Afghanistan 14JUL2010

I have fought a good fight,
I have finished my course,
I have kept the faith.
2 Timothy 4:7 (KJV)

God Of Our Fathers



Rest in Peace, fallen brother, rest in peace!
We who remain hold you in high honor.
Rest, fallen brother, in this sacred precinct;
We who remain keep this place sacred.
Rest, fallen brother, among these, your comrades;
We who remain keep the watch.
Rest, fallen brother, among these who answered the Nation’s call;
We who remain press the fight forward in your name.
Rest, fallen brother, lay down thy burden;
We who remain have taken up the torch.
Rest in Peace, fallen brother, rest in eternal peace!



Taps

Lamh Foistenach Abu!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening/morning, Arrowhead...((HUGS))...it started raining here in the night and has pretty much kept it up all day. Lots of green outside. Hope you get some rain soon.

[luvie]

Good evening, Conor! (((hugs)))

I’m doing great. Had a wonderful Sunday. Hope yours went
well also!

[oldteen]

Oh, wow...I feel your misery ;0). It’s still 98’ here...our high today was 103 and yukky! Did you enjoy your day?

[PROCON]

My day was nothing but relaxation!!

But it's suppose to heat up to 78 tomorrow!!..:=(

[ConorMacNessa]

Thanks, Luv - It went about as well as a work day can go. No rest for the wicked here! :)

Lamh Foistenach Abu!