

Rank and organization:
Staff
Sergeant, U.S.
Army, Company B, 4th Battalion, 21st Infantry, 11th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division. Place
and date: West of Tam Ky,
Republic
of Vietnam, 26 August 1968. Entered service at: Phoenix,
Ariz.
Born: 25 November 1945, Caraway, Ark.
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 machinegun 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.