Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
David
Haskell
Hackworth
November 11, 1931

–

May 4, 2005

Cemetery:

Arlington National Cemetery

In the last months of World War II, David Hackworth, then 14 years old, joined the U.S. Merchant Marine. After the war, he lied about his age again to enlist in the United States Army. During the Korean War he earned THREE Silver Stars and a commission. During the Vietnam War he was awarded TWO Distinguished Service Crosses and SEVEN additional Silver Stars–his TEN total Silver Stars is the record number for any person in any branch of service in history. He also earned a near-record eight Purple Hearts. In his post-war service he founded “Soldiers for the Truth,” an advocacy group focused on military reform, both in terms of capability and treatment of personnel. He became widely recognized as a writer and as a television personality.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry)

    Batallion:

    4th Battalion

    Regiment:

    39th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    9th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    February 26, 1969
    Headquarters, 9th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 3290, (March 18, 1969)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Silver Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Sixth Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) David Haskell Hackworth (ASN: OF-103837), United States Army, for gallantry in action involving close combat against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam while serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Battalion, 39th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division. Lieutenant Colonel Hackworth distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 26 February 1969 while serving as Battalion Commander, 4th Battalion, 39th Infantry, on a reconnaissance mission near Fire Support Base Moore. Disregarding his own safety, Lieutenant Colonel Hackworth exposed himself to intense enemy fire as he had his helicopter land in an insecure area where 16 men of an eighteen man unit lay wounded. He maneuvered throughout the embattled area setting up a defensive perimeter with the men who were still able to fight. He then called in a support element and led them in a sweep of the area, routing the enemy. As a result of his courageous actions the lives of several men were saved. Lieutenant Colonel Hackworth’s extraordinary heroism in close combat against an armed hostile force is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 9th Infantry Division and the United States Army.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Major (Infantry)

    Batallion:

    1st Battalion

    Regiment:

    327th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    101st Airborne Division

    Action Date:

    February 7 & 8, 1966
    Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 121 (1966)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Major (Infantry) David Haskell Hackworth (ASN: OF-103837), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry, 101st Airborne Division. On 7 February 1966, Major Hackworth’s unit was assigned the mission of relieving elements of a friendly rifle company which had been pinned down for four hours. Upon arriving at the beleaguered unit’s position, Major Hackworth moved forward, by himself, to conduct a reconnaissance of the area. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, he moved across an open field through small arms fire, crossed a bridge which was raked by intense hostile machine gun fire, and ran across another open field through heavy fire to the embattled company’s position. Major Hackworth then crawled to within twenty meters of the insurgent positions in the face of heavy machine gun fire. Upon completion of his reconnaissance mission, he returned to his command post and again, with complete disregard for his own personal safety, led the attacking force across the bullet swept fields to the insurgent positions. He then led a group through intense fire to a position only forty meters from the opposing force’s battle positions. From this point, under fire for approximately six hours, Major Hackworth calmly and effectively maneuvered his units to close in on the entrenched and determined Viet Cong. Continuously, with complete disregard for his own personal safety, he exposed himself to intense fire to personally inspire and direct the attack. As one of the attacking units began to falter, without hesitation, Major Hackworth left his position to rally the attackers and lead them into the Viet Cong positions. During the final phase of the attack, Major Hackworth again exposed himself to heavy fire in order to direct an air strike on the Viet Cong. Major Hackworth’s extraordinary heroism and gallantry in action were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry)

    Batallion:

    4th Battalion

    Regiment:

    39th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    9th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    May 22, 1969
    Headquarters, 9th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 5933, (May 24, 1969)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Fourth Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in addition to a previously awarded Silver Oak Leaf Cluster lieu of a Tenth Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) David Haskell Hackworth (ASN: OF-103837), United States Army, for gallantry in action involving close combat with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with gallantry in action involving close combat with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam while serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Battalion, 39th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division. Lieutenant Colonel Hackworth distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 22 May 1969 while serving as Commanding Officer, 4th Battalion, 39th Infantry, on a reconnaissance in force mission in Dinh Tuong Province. After elements of his battalion came in contact with a large enemy force, Lieutenant Colonel Hackworth braved intense hostile fire to fly over the hostile positions and direct artillery supporting fires onto them. Then, realizing that the enemy element was, in actuality, a main force battalion, he skillfully directed the insertion of reinforcements in blocking positions around the enemy. After surrounding the enemy, he repeatedly exposed himself to the murderous fusillade of hostile fire to direct his forces and mark targets for gunship strikes. His valiant actions resulted in the decimation of the large and important enemy unit. Lieutenant Colonel Hackworth’s extraordinary heroism in close combat with an armed hostile force is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 9th Infantry Division and the United States Army.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Sergeant

    Batallion:

    2d Battalion

    Regiment:

    27th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    25th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    February 6, 1951
    Headquarters, 25th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 208 (April 13, 1951)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant David Haskell Hackworth (ASN: OF-103837), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company G, 2d Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. On 6 February 1951 near Soam-ni, Korea, the lead elements of Sergeant Hackworth’s task force were subjected to heavy small arms and mortar fire. After organizing his men in advantageous positions, he mounted a tank and directed a heavy volume of effective machine gun fire at the hostile emplacements. When his ammunition was exhausted, he immediately moved to the exposed deck of another tank and directed its weapon against the foe. Although the enemy concentrated their firepower on his position, he continued his mission until he was severely wounded. Sergeant Hackworth’s valorous initiative, determined spirit and selfless devotion to duty reflect the highest credit on himself, his unit and the Armed Forces.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry)

    Batallion:

    4th Battalion

    Regiment:

    39th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    9th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    March 4, 1969
    Headquarters, 9th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 4192, (April 8, 1969)

    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 addition to a previously awarded Silver Oak Leaf Cluster lieu of a Seventh Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) David Haskell Hackworth (ASN: OF-103837), United States Army, for gallantry in action involving close combat with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam while serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Battalion, 39th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division. Lieutenant Colonel Hackworth distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 4 March 1969 while serving as Commanding Officer, 4th Battalion, 39th Infantry, on a reconnaissance in force mission near My An. Upon learning that one of his companies was pinned down in a heavily mined area by intense hostile fire, Lieutenant Colonel Hackworth courageously directed his pilot to land in the area. After landing he received word that the company commander had been seriously wounded and immediately went into the minefield, picked up the wounded man and carried him to a relatively safe position. He then reorganized the company and led them through a fusillade of fire to a point where they could be extracted by helicopter. Lieutenant Colonel Hackworth’s extraordinary heroism in close combat with an armed hostile force is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 9th Infantry Division and the United States Army.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry)

    Batallion:

    4th Battalion

    Regiment:

    39th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    9th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    March 22, 1969
    Headquarters, 9th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 4498, (April 14, 1969)

    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 addition to a previously awarded Silver Oak Leaf Cluster lieu of an Eighth Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) David Haskell Hackworth (ASN: OF-103837), United States Army, for gallantry in action involving close combat with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam while serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Battalion, 39th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division. Lieutenant Colonel Hackworth distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 22 March 1969 while serving as Commanding Officer, 4th Battalion, 39th Infantry, on a reconnaissance mission near Fire Support Base Danger. After gunships had engaged an enemy element, Lieutenant Colonel Hackworth directed his pilot to land in the isolated area in order to recover the enemy weapons. Upon landing, he detected movement in a nearby bunker and braved intense hostile fire to maneuver to the emplacement and destroy it. He then provided covering fire as his operations officer engaged and silenced a second enemy bunker and, after recovering the weapons, provided suppressive fire as the helicopter lifted off. Lieutenant Colonel Hackworth’s extraordinary heroism in close combat with an armed hostile force is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 9th Infantry Division and the United States Army.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry)

    Batallion:

    4th Battalion

    Regiment:

    39th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    9th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    May 22, 1969
    Headquarters, 9th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 6340, (June 4, 1969)

    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 addition to a previously awarded Silver Oak Leaf Cluster lieu of an Ninth Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) David Haskell Hackworth (ASN: OF-103837), United States Army, for gallantry in action involving close combat with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with gallantry in action involving close combat with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam while serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Battalion, 39th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division. Lieutenant Colonel Hackworth distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 22 May 1969 while serving as Commanding Officer, 4th Battalion, 39th Infantry, on a reconnaissance in force mission. During the late afternoon, elements of the 4th Battalion encountered stiff enemy fire. From his light observation helicopter, which was under continual ground fire, Lieutenant Colonel Hackworth directed effective artillery strikes. He then rapidly gathered all available intelligence and initiated a vigorous offensive against the large enemy forces. As the battle progressed, Lieutenant Colonel Hackworth ignoring the fire his helicopter was receiving, directed the gunships and ground elements towards enemy targets, at one time throwing smoke to mark an enemy position. The net effect of his tactical decisions and personal gallantry was a complete rout of the enemy force. Lieutenant Colonel Hackworth’s extraordinary heroism in close combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 9th Infantry Division and the United States Army.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry)

    Batallion:

    4th Battalion

    Regiment:

    39th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    9th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    March 23 – 25, 1969
    Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 2422 (1969)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Service Cross to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) David Haskell Hackworth (ASN: OF-103837), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Battalion, 39th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division. Lieutenant Colonel Hackworth distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions during the period of 23 to 25 March 1969 as battalion commander while his unit was engaged with elements of two Viet Cong battalions. After one of his companies came under attack from a numerically superior hostile force, Colonel Hackworth landed his command and control helicopter amid heavy enemy fire to resupply the unit with ammunition and to evacuate casualties. Remaining with his forces on the ground, he led a patrol in pursuit of the withdrawing enemy and, after learning the enemy’s withdrawal plan from a captured soldier, directed the insertion of other elements of his battalion into blocking positions. As the conflict developed into a large scale battle, he again took to the air and flew through intense anti-aircraft fire to adjust artillery fire and direct the movement of his men. He repeatedly landed to coordinate with his ground commanders, lead assaults against hostile positions, and evacuate casualties. When a friendly scout element sustained several casualties and became pinned down near the communist emplacements, he disembarked from his helicopter to maneuver through the hostile fusillade and assist the wounded men to his aircraft. When he had insured that the injured were being evacuated, he adjusted supporting fire on the enemy fortifications until the enemy was soundly defeated and their weapons and supplied confiscated. Lieutenant Colonel Hackworth’s extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Second Lieutenant (Infantry)

    Batallion:

    2d Battalion

    Regiment:

    27th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    25th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    August 8, 1951
    Headquarters, 25th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 510, ( September 2, 1951)

    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 Second Lieutenant (Infantry) David Haskell Hackworth (ASN: OF-103837), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company E, 2d Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. On 8 August 1951, Lieutenant Hackworth volunteered to lead a reinforced patrol against well-defended positions near Pongmi, Korea. When the enemy began an intense small arms and automatic weapons barrage, he left his place of cover to emplace the tanks and half-tracks and to direct their fire. Moving to the front, he led the infantrymen in a furious grenade and bayonet assault to rout the hostile forces from the initial strongpoints. Although under the direct observation of the enemy, he continued to direct an effective heavy weapons barrage on their positions. When the overwhelming numerical superiority of the foe forced a withdrawal, he manned a machine gun and gave supporting fire until the last of the patrol had reached safety. Lieutenant Hackworth’s valorous leadership, aggressive spirit and steadfast devotion to duty reflect the highest credit on himself, his unit and the United States Armed Forces.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Infantry)

    Batallion:

    2d Battalion

    Regiment:

    27th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    25th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    November 4, 1951
    Headquarters, 25th Infantry Division, General Orders No 8, (January 9, 1952)

    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) David Haskell Hackworth (ASN: OF-103837), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company E, 27th Infantry, in the vicinity of Kumhwa, Korea, on 4 November 1951. Lieutenant Hackworth’s unit was engaged with a well entrenched hostile force over the possession of a vital hill mass. While leading the assault squad up the slope through intense small arms, automatic weapons fire and bursting grenades, he was painfully wounded but refused evacuation and continued directing accurate concentrations on the main points of resistance. Finally leaving the impact area, he received medical aid. Quickly returning to his men, he led a spirited charge against the foe to overrun the position and rout the enemy. Unable to hold a weapon because of his broken arm, he accepted the assistance of an enlisted man, who held the carbine level while Lieutenant Hackworth placed heavy fire on the retreating enemy. He continued exposing himself to the withering crossfire in order to coordinate the tactics of his men and direct the evacuation of the wounded until he was called to the telephone and ordered to the rear for medical aid. Refusing to stay out of the impact area, he again went forward to assure himself that his men were well organized and all helpless soldiers were brought back to friendly positions. Lieutenant Hackworth’s inspirational leadership, aggressive determination and courageous devotion to duty reflect the highest credit on himself, his unit and the Armed Forces.