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Posted on Aug 1, 2010 in War College

In Memoriam: Nick Bacon, Vietnam War Medal of Honor Recipient

By Armchair General

Medal of Honor recipient Nick Bacon. Courtesy, The Macarthur Museum of Arkansas Military History.Nick Bacon, who received the Medal of Honor during the Vietnam War, has died after a battle with cancer. The July 2009 issue of Armchair General magazine featured an exclusive 10-question interview with him. The interview was conducted by Daniel Shannon.

Mr. Bacon was a staff sergeant in Bravo Company, 4th Battalion,  21st Infantry Regiment, 11th Light Infantry Brigade on August 26, 1968, when the company was sent to assist members of the 1st Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment in Tam Ky province. He assumed command of both 1st and 3rd platoons after their leaders were shot down, directed a tank’s fire, and personally knocked out a recoilless rifle and some machine-gun positions.

After the war, he was city manager for Surprise, Arizona, northwest of Phoenix. Later, he served as director of the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs.

Here are links to two local articles written upon his passing, from The Arizona Republic and the Northeast Arkansas Town Crier.