William Hardman was interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam after he was shot down on August 21, 1967, and was held until his release on March 14, 1973.
Sponsored by:
William
Morgan
Hardman
POW (RVN)
Cemetery:
Barrancas National Cemetery
Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Bronze Star Medal
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Bronze Star Medal
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Legion of Merit
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
December 3, 1968
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Commander William Morgan Hardman (NSN: 0-5169376/625171/1355), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam on 3 December 1968. Commander Hardman’s captors, completely ignoring international agreements, subjected him to extreme mental and physical cruelties in an attempt to obtain military information and false confessions for propaganda purposes. Through his resistance to those brutalities, he contributed significantly toward the eventual abandonment of harsh treatment by the North Vietnamese, which was attracting international attention. By his determination, courage, resourcefulness, and devotion, Commander Hardman reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderBatallion:
Attack Squadron 196 (VA-196)Division:
U.S.S. Constellation (CVA-64)Action Date:
Vietnam War
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Commander William Morgan Hardman (NSN: 0-5169376/625171/1355), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an A-6 Navigator/Bombardier with Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED NINETY-SIX (VA-196), aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. CONSTELLATION (CVA-64), in action over Southeast Asia in 1967. His gallant and untiring devotion to duty was at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
August 21, 1967 – March 14, 1973
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Commander William Morgan Hardman (NSN: 0-5169376/625171/1355), United States Navy, for heroic achievement while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam in 21 August 1967 to 14 March 1973. Under constant pressure from North Vietnamese interrogators and guards, he experienced harassment, intimidation and ruthless treatment in their attempt to gain military information and cooperative participation for propaganda purposes. He heroically resisted their routine cruelties and never wavered in his devotion and loyalty to the United States. These actions served to inspire and improve the morale of his fellow prisoners in the camp. Displaying extraordinary courage, resourcefulness and devotion to duty, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. [The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.]
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
July 1969 – July 1970
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Commander William Morgan Hardman (NSN: 0-5169376/625171/1355), United States Navy, for meritorious service as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from July 1969 to July 1970. Through his ceaseless efforts, in an atmosphere of enemy harassment, threat of torture and brutal treatment, he established and maintained intracamp communications. At great risk and in spite of further cruelty, he continued to devise many unusual and ingenious methods of communications, resulting in American and Allied prisoners resisting the enemy’s demands and at the same time improving the prisoners’ morale. By his heroic endeavors, exceptional skill, and devotion to duty, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. [The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.]
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
August 21, 1967 – March 14, 1973
Commander William Morgan Hardman (NSN: 0-5169376/625171/1355), United States Navy, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from August 21, 1967 until his release on March 14, 1973.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderBatallion:
Attack Squadron 196 (VA-196)Division:
U.S.S. Constellation (CVA-64)Action Date:
Vietnam War
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Commander William Morgan Hardman (NSN: 0-5169376/625171/1355), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an A-6 Navigator/Bombardier with Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED NINETY-SIX (VA-196), aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. CONSTELLATION (CVA-64), in action over Southeast Asia in 1967. His gallant and untiring devotion to duty was at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
August 1967 – March 1973
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Commander William Morgan Hardman (NSN: 0-5169376/625171/1355), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from August 1967 to March 1973. Under the most adverse of conditions, he resisted all attempts by the North Vietnamese to use him in causes detrimental to the United States, never wavering in his devotion and loyalty to the United States and his fellow prisoners. Despite the adversities of confinement, he performed such duties and responsibilities as assigned by superiors and required of the Code of Conduct in an exemplary and highly professional manner. Displaying extraordinary courage, resourcefulness, and dedication throughout this period of imprisonment, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. (Commander Hardman is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)
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Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
February 20, 1968
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Commander William Morgan Hardman (NSN: 0-5169376/625171/1355), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam on 20 February 1968. Commander Hardman’s captors, completely ignoring international agreements, subjected him to extreme mental and physical cruelties in an attempt to obtain military information and false confessions for propaganda purposes. Through his resistance to those brutalities, he contributed significantly toward the eventual abandonment of harsh treatment by the North Vietnamese, which was attracting international attention. By his determination, courage, resourcefulness, and devotion, Commander Hardman reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Commander [then Lieutenant Commander]Batallion:
Attack Squadron 196 (VA-196)Division:
U.S.S. Constellation (CVA-64)Action Date:
August 21, 1967
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Commander [then Lieutenant Commander] William Morgan Hardman (NSN: 0-5169376/625171/1355), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action on 21 August 1967, as a Naval Flight Officer in Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED NINETY-SIX (VA-196), attached to the U.S.S. CONSTELLATION (CVA-64). Demonstrating outstanding leadership and planning ability, Commander Hardman participated in a coordinated air-wing attack against Duc Noi Rail Yard, situated five miles north of Hanoi, North Vietnam. As pathfinder navigator, he led his force through cloud-shrouded mountainous terrain to the target area. Encountering intense anti-aircraft, artillery, and missile fire about fifteen miles from the target, Commander Hardman assisted his pilot in commencing the bombing run, well aware that his aircraft was being tracked by a Surface-to-Air missile. Seconds later, his aircraft received a direct hit and was soon engulfed in flames. After the bombs were released, Commander Hardman ejected from the severely damaged aircraft. The remaining strike aircraft dived through the heavy enemy fire to deliver extremely accurate and highly devastating attacks on the target. By his indomitable leadership and courage, Commander Hardman contributed materially to the major damage inflicted on this vital North Vietnamese transportation facility. His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.