Captain Jack H. Jacobs, Medal of Honor, in recognition of his conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty on 9 March 1968. At that time he was a first lieutenant serving as a battalion advisor to the 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry, Army of the Republic of Vietnam during an operation in Kien Phong Province, Vietnam. The 2nd Battalion was advancing to contact when it came under intense heavy machinegun and mortar fir from a Viet Cong battalion positioned in well-fortified bunkers. As the 2nd Battalion deployed into attack formation its advance was halted by devastating fire. Captain Jacobs, with the command element of the lead company, called for an directed air strikes on the enemy positions to facilitate a renewed attack. Due to the intensity of the enemy fire and heavy casualties to the command group, including the company commander, the attack stopped and the friendly troops became disorganized. Although wounded by mortar fragments, Captain Jacobs assumed command of the allied company, ordered a withdrawal from the exposed position and established a defensive perimeter. Despite profuse bleeding from head wounds which impaired his vision, Captain Jacobs, with complete disregard for his own safety, returned under intense fire to evacuate a seriously wounded advisor to the safety of a wooded area where he administered lifesaving first aid. He then returned through heavy automatic weapons fire to evacuate the wounded company commander. Captain Jacobs made repeated trips across the fireswept open rice paddies evacuating wounded and their weapons. On three seperate occasions. Captain Jacobs contacted and drove off Viet Cong squads who were searching for allied wounded and weapons, singlehandedly killing three and wounding several others. His gallant actions and extraordinary heroism saved the lives of one United States advisor and thirteen allied soldiers. Through his effort the allied company was restored to an effective fighting unit and prevented defeat of the friendly forces by a strong and determined enemy. Captain Jacobs, by his conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action in the highest traditions of the military service, has reflected great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.

CPT. Jacobs joined the Legion of Valor in 1973.