Medal of Honor: William J. O’Brien – World War II, June 20 to July 7, 1944

Name: Nicky Daniel Bacon
War: Vietnam War
Date of Action: August 26, 1968

Summary of Action

Staff Sergeant Nicky Daniel Bacon, a native of Caraway, Arkansas, entered service through Phoenix, Arizona, and served as a squad leader with Company B, 4th Battalion, 21st Infantry, 11th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division. On August 26, 1968, west of Tam Ky, his unit encountered a heavily fortified enemy bunker line. Without hesitation, Bacon organized his squad and led them in a determined assault, personally destroying an enemy bunker with grenades.

In the heat of the fight, his platoon leader was struck down by machine gun fire, leaving the men leaderless under withering fire. Bacon immediately assumed command of the platoon and personally charged the machine gun nest, killing the entire crew in a single-handed effort. As the fight raged on, the 3rd Platoon moved to reinforce his position—only for its leader to be wounded as well. Once again, Bacon took command without pause, effectively leading two platoons in the fierce battle.

Amidst heavy fire, Bacon climbed onto the exposed deck of a tank to direct its fire into the enemy positions, an act that not only turned the tide of battle but also enabled the evacuation of the wounded. By the time the smoke cleared, his extraordinary leadership and unshakable courage had allowed his company to overrun the entrenched enemy, eliminate the hostile threat, and rescue trapped soldiers.

His gallantry not only saved lives but became a lasting testament to the indomitable spirit of the American infantryman.

Medal of Honor Citation

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.