40 years ago today: On 10 Feb., 1970 in Quan Loi Province, Sp4 John P. Baca was on a night ambush mission. While Baca's team closed in on the enemy during a firefight, a fragmentation grenade landed amongst Baca's patrol. Baca covered the grenade with his helmet and body, absorbing the blast. According to Baca, while walking point one Christmas morning during the war, he ran into a lone NVA soldier. Not wanting to kill the young soldier, Baca ordered the 16 year-old to surrender. The two soldiers shared family pictures, and when Baca returned to Vietnam in 1990 to help build a medical clinic in Hanoi, the soldier whose life he spared was in the crowd. He also was awarded the Silver and Bronze Stars according to Wikipedia. Two other members of Baca's unit (Company D, 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division) were awarded the Medal of Honor during Vietnam: Sp4 Allen J. Lynch in 1968 and Sgt. Rodney J. Evans in 1970 (posthumous). John Baca's Medal of Honor citation can be viewed here.
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Posted
Feb 09 2010, 11:17 PM
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BLACKFIVE