John Baca, a Great American
Jon Dodson
Company D, 1/12th Cavalry
John Baca and I were in the same company, Company D, 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry, 1st CAV Division (Airmobile) in Viet Nam. I joined the company on/about 16 July 1969 and left a year later-from "the bush" as an officer. As a platoon leader of two platoons in DELTA company and then as its Company Commander, I can assure anyone that John is one of those selfless people whose actions, in addition to his 10 February action, were consistently oriented to protect and save his fellow soldiers-that simply was "his way" there to all of us. His quiet manner was instrumental in calming his fellow soldiers in the many actions we had both on and before 10 February.
His Medal of Honor citation does not do complete justice to John's actions on 10 Feb....he was simply, as he had been since he joined DELTA company, a giving and protecting person--- "...without complete disregard for his own personal safety..." only scratches the surface of John's performance during his entire time in Viet Nam.
His Medal of Honor recommendation was unanimous from all members of the company. We missed his cheerful demeanor and value him as one of the GREAT AMERICANS we met during those troubled times for our Nation.