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'Charles Joseph Bacon, Jr.' (January 9, 1883 – November 15, 1968) was an American athlete who won the 400 metres hurdles at the 1908 Summer Olympics.
Just month and a half before the London Olympics, Bacon ran in Philadelphia a new unofficial world record of 55.8 in the 400 metres hurdles.
At the Olympic Games, he and fellow American Harry Hillman went over the last hurdle simultaneously, after which Bacon pulled away on the straight to win in a new world record of 55.0 seconds. This record was recognised by IAAF, thus Bacon became the first world record holder in the 400 metres hurdles.