Name: Jack H. Jacobs
Rank: Captain (then First Lieutenant)
Branch: U.S. Army
Unit: U.S. Army Element, U.S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam
Advising: 2d Battalion, 16th Infantry, 9th Infantry
Division, Army of the Republic of Vietnam
Place: Kien Phong Province, Republic of Vietnam
Entered Service At: Trenton, New Jersey
Born: 2 August 1945, Brooklyn, New York
Summary of Action
On March 9, 1968, Captain Jack H. Jacobs was serving as assistant battalion advisor to an Army of the Republic of Vietnam infantry battalion during combat operations in Kien Phong Province.
As the battalion advanced, it was suddenly struck by intense machine-gun and mortar fire from a well-fortified Viet Cong battalion.
The assault stalled.
Jacobs called in and directed air strikes against the enemy bunkers in an attempt to break the defensive line. But heavy casualties among the command group—including the company commander—caused the attack to collapse into confusion.
During the fighting, Jacobs was wounded in the head by mortar fragments.
Despite bleeding heavily and with blood impairing his vision, he took command of the allied company, ordered a withdrawal from the exposed position, and organized a defensive perimeter.
Then he began returning to the battlefield.
Ignoring the intense enemy fire, Jacobs crossed open rice paddies again and again to rescue the wounded.
He first evacuated a severely wounded U.S. advisor and administered lifesaving first aid.
He then returned to retrieve the wounded company commander.
Still not finished, Jacobs made repeated trips across the fire-swept terrain to recover other wounded soldiers and their weapons.
Three times during these rescues he encountered Viet Cong squads attempting to capture allied wounded and equipment. Each time he engaged them alone, killing three enemy soldiers and wounding several others.
By the end of the battle, Jacobs had saved the lives of one American advisor and thirteen allied soldiers.
His actions reorganized the shattered company and prevented the defeat of the friendly force.
Medal of Honor Citation
JACOBS, JACK H.
Rank and organization: Captain, U.S. Army, U.S. Army Element, U.S. Military Assistance Command, Republic of Vietnam.
Place and date: Kien Phong Province, Republic of Vietnam, 9 March 1968.
Entered service at: Trenton, N.J.
Born: 2 August 1945, Brooklyn, N.Y.
Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Capt. Jacobs (then 1st Lt.), Infantry, distinguished himself while serving as assistant battalion advisor, 2d Battalion, 16th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division, Army of the Republic of Vietnam. The 2d Battalion was advancing to contact when it came under intense heavy machine gun and mortar fire from a Viet Cong battalion positioned in well fortified bunkers. As the 2d Battalion deployed into attack formation its advance was halted by devastating fire. Capt. Jacobs, with the command element of the lead company, called for and directed air strikes on the enemy positions to facilitate a renewed attack. Due to the intensity of the enemy fire and heavy casualties to the command group, including the company commander, the attack stopped and the friendly troops became disorganized. Although wounded by mortar fragments, Capt. Jacobs assumed command of the allied company, ordered a withdrawal from the exposed position and established a defensive perimeter. Despite profuse bleeding from head wounds which impaired his vision, Capt. Jacobs, with complete disregard for his safety, returned under intense fire to evacuate a seriously wounded advisor to the safety of a wooded area where he administered lifesaving first aid. He then returned through heavy automatic weapons fire to evacuate the wounded company commander. Capt. Jacobs made repeated trips across the fire-swept open rice paddies evacuating wounded and their weapons. On 3 separate occasions, Capt. Jacobs contacted and drove off Viet Cong squads who were searching for allied wounded and weapons, single-handedly killing 3 and wounding several others. His gallant actions and extraordinary heroism saved the lives of 1 U.S. advisor and 13 allied soldiers. Through his effort the allied company was restored to an effective fighting unit and prevented defeat of the friendly forces by a strong and determined enemy. Capt. Jacobs, by his gallantry and bravery in action in the highest traditions of the military service, has reflected great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.
Name: Jack H. Jacobs
Division, Army of the Republic of Vietnam