Today in Medal of Honor History: Jack H. Jacobs

42 years ago, First Lieutenant Jack Jacobs was searching for Viet Cong soldiers when the South Vietnamese battalion that he was advising suddenly came under devastating fire from a large enemy force hidden in bunkers. Many of the soldiers were killed instantly, and Jacobs himself was severely wounded.

Despite his wounds, Jacobs took command of the unit and ordered airstrikes against an enemy that was so strong that the incoming aircraft were driven off by the intense fire. Jacobs repeatedly braved incoming rifle, machine gun, and mortar fire and rescued 13 of his fallen comrades before collapsing from his wounds.

“I come to the conclusion that I’m going to die.” Jacobs said in an interview. “Because I am, I might as well just carry on.” His Medal of Honor citation can be viewed here.

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