Robert served as a - Pfc - Grade E3 - Army - Drafted Selective Service
He was 24 years old at the time of his death
Bob was born on July 3, 1945 in Newark, N.J.
His tour of duty began in Vietnam on June 3, 1969
Bob served with A Company, 2nd Platoon, 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry,
1st Air Cavalry Division
Bob died on July 17, 1969 in Binh Duong Province, South Vietnam
His death was a result of Hostile small arms fire inflicted while walking point for his platoon. Bob was knocked down by a B-40 rocket and then hit with AK-47 automatic weapons fire. Larry McVay, Bill Brown, John McMillian, Lt. Malcom, and Larry Fields were with him when he died.
[As recalled by Larry "Shorty" McVay]
Bob's religion was Protestant. He was single, not married
Bob is interred in the Frankford Plains Cemetry, Newton, N.J.
Bob was a 1964 graduate of Phillipsburg High School
Bob's name is listed on Panel 20W --- Line 9
of the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington D.C.
"Rest In Peace Bob You Are Missed By All Who Knew You"
Bob on his way to Vietnam in 1969. At the time, Vietnam was the only war ever known, where you were sent into battle on a commercial air line. One day you were in the States and the next day you were being dropped off in a rice patty, from a helicopter, with someone shooting at you.
Bob at Fort Dix in 1969Bob was a platoon Guide durning training at Fort Dix.
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1st Battalion 5th Cavalry 1st Air Cavalry Divison
Bob 1969. Bob with Montagnard troops at his base camp at Phouc Vinh
Honors
Robert Franklin Bacon was a college graduate that went on to teach school. He became an art teacher fulfilling his life long thurst for creativeness. The draft notice came shortly thereafter putting a hold on his desire. Even though Bob was a college graduate, the Army drafted him in to the Infantry as a Private. Bob, being the guy he was, never complained and went on to do the job asked of him. Bob's actions in Combat earned him the following awards:
2-Bronze Star Medals ( With Oak Leaf Cluster ) for meritorious service against hostile forces, With "V" clasp for exceptional Valor / Heroism.
Purple Heart for wounds received in action
Combat Air Medal For heroic actions or meritorious service while participating in aerial flight.
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Ribbon
Good Conduct Medal
The Republic of Vietnam, Military Merit Medal
The Republic of Vietnam, Gallantry Cross with Palm
The Combat Infantryman Badge
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Sgt. Larry Field, Sgt. Larry 'Shorty' McVay, and John McMillianwere with Robert when he was killed.
On May 10, 2003 the friends and classmates of Robert Bacon erected a Memorial for him and two other Heroes, Arthur Rowe, and Albert Shiller, all causalities of the Vietnam War, that were residents of Pohatcong Township, Warren County, N.J.
