Colonel David Hackworth

Colonel David Hackworth
Name	David Hackworth
Caption	Colonel David Hackworth in uniform
Birth date	November 11, 1930
Death date	May 4, 2005
Placeofburial	Arlington National Cemetery
Allegiance	United States
Branch	United States Army
Serviceyears	1945–1971
Rank	Colonel
Unit	27th Infantry Regiment
Battles	World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War
Awards	Distinguished Service Cross (2), Silver Star (10), Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal (8), Purple Heart (8)

Colonel David Hackworth was a highly decorated and controversial United States Army officer renowned for his combat leadership and later outspoken criticism of the Pentagon and the Vietnam War. Rising from the enlisted ranks to become the youngest colonel in the U.S. Armed Forces during the Vietnam War, his career was marked by extraordinary bravery and a maverick spirit. After a public break with the military establishment, he became a prominent journalist and advocate for military reform, leaving a complex legacy as both a warrior and a whistleblower.

Early life and military beginnings

Born in Los Angeles, California, Hackworth had a difficult childhood and ran away from home at age fourteen. He falsified his age to enlist in the United States Merchant Marine at fifteen, serving aboard a Liberty ship in the Pacific Theater during the final months of World War II. He later joined the United States Army in 1945, serving with the 88th Infantry Division on occupation duty in Trieste following the Allied occupation of Europe.

Korean War service

During the Korean War, Hackworth distinguished himself as a daring and effective junior leader. He served with the 27th Infantry Regiment "Wolfhounds," participating in critical battles like the Battle of Pork Chop Hill. His aggressive tactics and personal courage earned him rapid promotion, and he received multiple awards for valor, including the first of his two Distinguished Service Crosses. His experiences in Korea solidified his reputation as a soldier's soldier and shaped his pragmatic approach to warfare.

Vietnam War service and controversy

Assigned to Vietnam, Hackworth commanded the 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, part of the 101st Airborne Division, and later served as an advisor. He pioneered innovative counterinsurgency tactics, such as establishing the "Tiger Force" reconnaissance unit, and was decorated repeatedly, earning his second Distinguished Service Cross and ten Silver Star medals. However, he grew increasingly disillusioned with the war strategy, criticizing the MACV leadership for a focus on body count over meaningful objectives. His frustration culminated in a nationally televised 1971 interview on *Issues and Answers*, where he denounced the war as "unwinnable," leading to his early retirement.

Later life and advocacy

After leaving the Army, Hackworth moved to Australia, where he became a successful businessman. He returned to the United States in the 1980s and launched a second career as a military affairs columnist for Newsweek and other publications. He was a frequent and sharp critic of the Pentagon bureaucracy, championing soldier welfare and tactical reform. He also served as an analyst for ABC News during the Gulf War and the Iraq War, offering blunt assessments from his combat perspective.

Awards and decorations

Hackworth was one of the most decorated American soldiers in history. His personal decorations include two Distinguished Service Crosses, ten Silver Star medals, eight Bronze Star Medals (four for valor), eight Purple Hearts, the Legion of Merit, and the Distinguished Flying Cross. He also received numerous service medals and foreign awards, including the Vietnam Gallantry Cross.

Legacy and publications

David Hackworth's legacy is that of a paradoxical figure: a legendary combat leader who became the military's most famous internal critic. His bestselling autobiography, *About Face: The Odyssey of an American Warrior*, co-authored with Julie Sherman, detailed his career and criticisms. He also wrote *Hazardous Duty: America's Most Decorated Soldier Reports from the Front and Tells It the Way It Is* and, with his wife Eilhys England, the novel *The Price of Honor*. His website, "Soldiers for the Truth," continued his advocacy until his death from bladder cancer. He is interred at Arlington National Cemetery.

Category:United States Army colonels Category:American military personnel of the Korean War Category:American military personnel of the Vietnam War