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David Haskell Hackworth joined the Army as a private in 1946 and retired as a colonel in 1971. He amassed a collection of combat decorations few Vietnam War veterans equaled, much less exceeded.
Episode 2671 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a rerun of Episode 1857 which was story about David Hackworth, a most exceptional Vietnam Veteran.
The featured story that was first published by James Elphick in May of 2016 and it was recently posted again on the We Are The Mighty website where it was titled: David Hackworth’s men wanted to frag him before they learned to love him.
The Vietnam Veteran Generation is a great as any that ever answered the call of duty from its country. One of the greatest members of that generation was David Hackworth. His awards include two Distinguished Service Crosses, ten Silver Stars, four Legions of Merit, a Distinguished Flying Cross, eight Bronze Stars with “V” device, eight purple hearts and thirty four Air Medals with “V” device.
He was a one-of-a-kind American soldier and a legend among the troops. His military acumen both on and off the battlefield are rivaled by few. His military began in World War II when he lied about his age and joined the Coast Guard when he was only fourteen years old. He rose to the rank of colonel and retired in 1971 after he gave a shocking speech.
He spoke disparagingly about the war in Vietnam. He criticized U.S. commanders and called for a withdrawal of troops. That speech ended his Army career. He first went to Vietnam in 1965 with the 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry, 101st Airborne Division as a major, first as the Battalion Executive Officer and the Battalion Commander. On that tour with the 101st he establish an elite unit, the Tiger Force, to “out-guerrilla the guerrillas” or “out G-ing the G,” as he called it. On his second tour he was assigned as the commander of the poorly trained and demoralized 4th Battalion 39th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division.
He transformed the unit in the “hardcore recondo” battalion that was soon routing enemy main forces. During his tenure as the commander of the 4th of the 39th he was awarded five Silver Stars and another Distinguished Service Cross.
Listen to episode 2671 and discover more about David Hackworth, one of the most exceptional Vietnam Veterans.
