Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
David
Lyddall
Hardee
POW (WWII)
September 16, 1890

–

November 23, 1969

Born:

Stem

, 

North Carolina

Home:

Durham

, 

North Carolina

Buried: 

Durham

, 

North Carolina

Cemetery:

Maplewood Cemetery

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Infantry), [then Second Lieutenant]

    Batallion:

    3d Battalion

    Regiment:

    28th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    November 7, 1918
    War Department, General Orders No. 13 (March 31, 1923)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry), [then Second Lieutenant] David Lyddall Hardee (ASN: 0-11903), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 3d Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action at Cheveuges, France, 7 November 1918, while engaged with the enemy near the heights of Sedan. The battalion being halted temporarily by intense machine gun and artillery fire from both front and flanks delivered from the heights above the town, he moved the battalion forward by the use of whistle and visual signals, transmitted in the face of terrific enemy fire. His indifference to danger and his devotion to duty were by force of example largely responsible for the success of the battalion in this operation.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Colonel (Infantry), [then Lieutenant Colonel]

    Regiment:

    Provisional Air Corps Regiment

    Division:

    U.S. Army Forces in the Far East (USAFFE)

    Action Date:

    April 7 & 8, 1942
    Headquarters, U.S. Army Forces in the Far East, General Orders No. 69 (April 7, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Colonel (Infantry), [then Lieutenant Colonel] David Lyddall Hardee (ASN: 0-11903), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action at Orion and Limay, Bataan, Philippine Islands, on 7 – 8 April 1942. Colonel Hardee was serving in the capacity of Executive Officer of the Provisional Air Corps Regiment, U.S. Army Forces in the Far East (USAFFE), operating as Infantry. Although suffering from disease and so weak he could scarcely walk, he had remained on front-line duty for 73 days, refusing evacuation. On 7 April 1942, Colonel Hardee’s regiment was attacked on its front, left flank, and left rear by a superior enemy ground force supported by heavy artillery fire and by numerous enemy bombers. During the two days conflict which followed, Colonel Hardee, continually under enemy fire, visited and rallied the troops, directing them to new positions, personally leading convoys and supervising the maintenance of communications. The resolute, calm and determined leadership of this officer while under hostile fire was in a large measure responsible for the regiment’s fighting six delaying actions in two days, throughout which it preserved its combat integrity and was still fighting astride the main approach to our rear area when the final action of the Bataan operation terminated. The courage, heroism, and personal example displayed by Colonel Hardee upheld the highest tradition of the military service.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    28th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    October 4 – 12, 1918
    Headquarters, 2d Infantry Brigade, American Forces in Germany, General Orders No. 6 (July 12, 1919)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) David Lyddall Hardee (ASN: 0-11903), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 28th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces. A soldier with splendid qualities of courage and bravery, during the Meuse-Argonne Operation, 4 to 12 October 1918, he displayed great gallantry and devotion to duty.

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry)

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (Philippine Islands)

    Action Date:

    April 1942 – 1945

    Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) David Lyddall Hardee (ASN: 0-11903), United States Army, was captured by the Japanese after the fall of Bataan, Philippine Islands, in April 1942, and was held as a Prisoner of War until returned to U.S. Military control during operations to liberate the Philippines in 1945.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Infantry), [then Second Lieutenant]

    Batallion:

    3d Battalion

    Regiment:

    28th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    October 9, 1918
    War Department, General Orders No. 15 (April 5, 1923)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry), [then Second Lieutenant] David Lyddall Hardee (ASN: 0-11903), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 3d Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action near Exermont, France, 9 October 1918. In the advance of 9 October he aided the progress of his battalion by his aggressiveness and was instrumental in the capture and holding of Hill 263. In the assault on the hill he fearlessly led his men through more than 100 yards of dense, shoulder-high underbrush which was impregnated with a persistent type of powdered gas, across the bottom of a ravine on which enemy machine guns were concentrating their fire. This fire caused severe losses, which would have held up the advance and had not his heroic example inspired his men to follow instead of holding on in the woods where there was cover.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry)

    Action Date:

    April 8, 1942
    Headquarters, II Philippine Corps in the Field, General Orders No. 46 (April 9, 1942)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) David Lyddall Hardee (ASN: 0-11903), United States Army, for gallantry in action on the afternoon of 8 April 1942, when the enemy was bombing and strafing our position south of Limay, Philippine Islands, and were infiltrating to within a few hundred yards in preparation for an attack. This officer voluntarily went forward and organized the main line of resistance, when bombed and strafed by a formation of nine hostile bombers. His presence and example was an inspiration to all the men of his regiment.