Nick Bacon, Congressional Medal of Honor recipient, dies at 64

LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS (BNO NEWS) -- Medal of Honor recipient and former Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs Director Nick Bacon died on Saturday morning, the department said. He was 64.

The Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs said the retired U.S. Army First Sergeant died after a long fought battle with cancer at the age of 64.

Bacon served in the U.S. Army from 1963 to 1984 and was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor by President Richard Nixon for his actions during an August 26, 1968 battle near Tam Ky in Vietnam.

"Bacon distinguished himself while serving as a squad leader with the 1st Platoon, Company B, during an operation west of Tam Ky," the citation with the Medal read. "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."

The Army said Bacon advanced on a hostile bunker and destroyed it with grenades. "As he did so, several follow soldiers including the1st Platoon leader, were struck by machine gun fire and fell wounded in an exposed position forward of the rest of the platoon."

Bacon immediately assumed command of the platoon and assaulted the hostile gun position, finally killing the enemy gun crew in a single-handed effort.

After that, the 3rd Platoon also moved to Bacon's location after its leader was also wounded. "Without hesitation S/Sgt. Bacon took charge of the additional platoon and continued the fight," the Army said. "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, the Army said, 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."

Bacon also received the Distinguished Service Cross, Legion of Merit, two Bronze Stars, and Purple Heart.

In April 1993, then-Governor Jim Tucker appointed Bacon as the Director of the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs. He was re-appointed by Governor Mike Huckabee and served until February, 2005.

"Mr. Bacon was essential in the development of the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery and the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery Beautification Foundation," the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs said in a statement. "A staunch supporter of veterans, he also helped to establish the Arkansas Veterans' Coalition."

Bacon was born on November 25, 1945 in Caraway, Arkansas to a farm family of six children. His family moved to Arizona when he was a child. There, at the age of 17, he joined the Army.

After he eventually retired from the military, he returned to Arizona and worked for the VA Regional Office in Phoenix. And following a stint working for John McCain's U.S. Senate campaign, he became City Manager of Surprise, Arizona.

He moved back to Arkansas in 1990 and most recently lived in Rose Bud, a town in White County. Bacon leaves behind his wife Tamera Ann, several children and grandchildren.

Funeral services, with full military honors, will be conducted at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery in North Little Rock on Saturday at 11 a.m. local time. Following the service, a reception is being planned.

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