[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 85 (Thursday, June 25, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1238]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          TRIBUTE TO NICK BACA

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BOB FILNER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 25, 1998

  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, I rise today to honor a hero 
and a pillar of our community--Nick Baca, who died in January, 1998 at 
the age of 76.
  Although Nick served honorably in World War II and narrowly escaped 
death, he rarely spoke of his service and kept the memories buried for 
many years. In June of 1944, as a Ranger scout with the Second Ranger 
Battalion, he scaled the cliffs of Pointe du Hoc on the Normandy coast 
of France to destroy enemy bunkers. He was one of 24 out of 120 who 
reached the top in a barrage of gunfire and grenades.
  He fought in the Battle of the Bulge and was taken prisoner. In 
December of 1944, he was lined up with his fellow prisoners in a column 
three men deep to be shot, but miraculously escaped a bullet in the 
massacre by the German guards. Covered with bodies, Nick lay still so 
the soldiers with bayonets did not notice him. The man on top of him 
was stabbed to death by a bayonet and Nick's leg was cut. He hid for 
several days before making his way back to friendly lines--one of only 
a handful who survived this massacre of American prisoners of war in 
Malmedy, Belgium.
  After the war, he returned as an Army sergeant to his life in Los 
Lentes, New Mexico where his family had lived since the 1600s. When 
jobs became scarce, he became the first of his family to leave this 
area, and he moved to National City, California. Here he established 
himself in the construction industry and became a leader in the 
community. He was especially active in the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He 
was president of an Hispanic social organization in the 1970s.
  His was a wonderful life. He was a man who did his duty to his 
country, who contributed to his community, and who raised his family 
well. He is survived by Eloise, his wife of 56 years, and his children, 
Rosalie Ortega, George Baca, Robert Baca and Herman Baca, who is a 
prominent Mexican-American activist in San Diego County--along with 18 
grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.
  My thoughts and prayers go out to his wife and children and to the 
larger community who was touched by his presence. We will all miss him.

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