[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 106 (Monday, July 19, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Page S5990]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         REMEMBERING NICK BACON

 Mrs. LINCOLN. Mr. President, today I honor a true Arkansas and 
American hero, 1SG Nick Bacon, who passed away this weekend. First 
Sergeant Bacon, 64, was a Medal of Honor recipient and former director 
of the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs. He served in the U.S. 
Army from 1963 to 1984 and was awarded the Medal of Honor for his 
actions during a 1968 battle in Vietnam, along with countless awards 
and decorations including two Distinguished Service Crosses, the Legion 
of Merit, the Combat Infantry Badge, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, 
the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.
  With his passing, Arkansas has lost one of its finest citizens, and 
his death is a tremendous loss to our State. First Sergeant Bacon 
served our State and Nation honorably, fighting valiantly in Vietnam. 
He took command of two platoons after the leaders of each were wounded 
during a battle near Tam Ky, Vietnam, on Aug. 26, 1968. Using grenades, 
he destroyed an enemy bunker before singlehandedly killing an enemy gun 
crew and disabling an antitank weapon. He then helped rescue several 
wounded and trapped soldiers.
  After 20 years of military service, he returned to Arkansas to serve 
his fellow veterans as the director of Veterans Affairs for the State 
from 1993 through 2005. It was an honor to be able to work with him 
serving the State of Arkansas. As director of the Arkansas Department 
of Veterans Affairs, he helped establish the Arkansas State Veterans 
Cemetery and the Arkansas Veterans Coalition. He was also active in 
establishing a Veterans Cemetery Beautification Program. In addition, 
First Sergeant Bacon served as Commander, American Legion Post 1, 
Little Rock, after retiring as the director of the Arkansas Department 
of Veterans Affairs.
  First Sergeant Bacon was a true ``Arkansas son,'' born Nov. 25, 1945, 
in Caraway in northeast Arkansas. He moved with his family as a child 
to Arizona, where he joined the Army, but he returned to Arkansas in 
1990 and most recently lived in Rose Bud. First Sergeant Bacon's legacy 
will live on through projects such as the Nick Bacon VFW Special 
Veterans Scholarship for selected children and grandchildren of 
veterans who have a 60-percent or more service-connected disability.
  Along with all Arkansans, I am grateful for First Sergeant Bacon's 
service and for the service and sacrifice of all of our military 
servicemembers and their families. These men and women have shown 
tremendous courage and perseverance through the most difficult of 
times. As neighbors, as Arkansans, and as Americans, it is incumbent 
upon us to do everything we can to honor their service and to provide 
for them and their families, not only when they are in harm's way but 
also when they return home. It is the least we can do for those whom we 
owe so much.

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