David Hackworth’s FIRST Distinguished Service Cross citation
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
AUTHORIZED BY CONGRESS
HAS AWARDED
THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS
TO
MAJOR (INFANTRY) DAVID HASKELL HACKWORTH
UNITED STATES ARMY
FOR
EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM IN ACTION
CITATION:
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.
Born: 11 November 1930 in Ocean Park, Calif…. A 14-year-old Hackworth lied about his age and entered the Merchant Marine during World War II, serving in the Pacific Theater… Still underage, he joined the Army and served in Italy… Earned a battlefield commission during the Korean War… One of America’s most-decorated soldiers, holding a record ten Silver Stars and shares the record of eight Purple Hearts with four other soldiers… Also awarded two Distinguished Service Crosses, eight Bronze Stars with “V” Device, a Distinguished Flying Cross, 34 Air Medals, and numerous others… Declined an offer to attend War College and eventually become a general, retiring as a colonel in 1971… Departed 4 May 2005… Interred: Arlington National Cemetery