Colonel David H. Hackworth

Colonel David H. Hackworth is an iconic figure in American military history. A decorated Vietnam War veteran, he served as one of the most decorated U.S. Army officers, earning eight Purple Hearts, nine Silver Stars, four Legions of Merit, and a Distinguished Service Cross. After retiring from active military duty, he wrote a total of seven books, becoming a best-selling author and garnering widespread recognition and acclaim for his accounts of insider perspectives on the Vietnam War and its consequences and for his advocacy of military reform.

Hackworth was born in 1930 in Venice, California. After graduating from Venice High School in 1947 he enlisted in the U.S. Army, quickly rising through the ranks to become a commissioned officer in 1951. Three years later, he requested assignment in Korea and was assigned to the 25th Infantry Division, which at the time was involved in a bloody conflict known as the Korean War.

It was during the Korean War that Hackworth began to distinguish himself. Though he was never officially decorated for any of his service in Korea, many of his peers recognized him for his bravery, tactical and strategic acumen, and dedication to the cause. He was responsible for delaying the North Koreans at the Battle of Heartbreak Ridge and for leading a 20-man commando assault on a major Chinese supply base at the Battle of Pork Chop Hill.

In 1967 Hackworth was assigned to command a unit of the Strategic Reserve of the 25th Infantry Division during the Vietnam War. During his six months in-country, he served with distinction early on but then became increasingly vocal about the need for drastic reforms to U.S. military strategy in Vietnam. He was eventually relieved of his command and demoted to Major, a move that caused an international furor.

Following his time in Vietnam, Hackworth went on to have a long and distinguished career in the army, eventually being promoted to the rank of Colonel. During the 1980s he became a strident critic of the Reagan administration’s policies in the Cold War, which he viewed as overly aggressive and reckless.

In 1991 he released his first book, About Face: The Odyssey of an American Warrior, which provided a frank and revealing account of his perspectives on the Vietnam War and his observations on the need for military reform. The book was a smash success, eventually selling over a million copies and becoming a bestseller. Over the next few decades he wrote a total of seven books, including The Vietnam Primer: An Illustrated Encyclopedia, Steel My Soldiers’ Hearts: The Hopeless to Hardcore Transformation of the U.S. Army, and The New Glory: A Soldier’s Anomalous Adventure in Iraq.

In his later years, Hackworth rose to become one of the most influential voices in military reform. In addition to his advocacy of better training, tactics, and leadership in the army, he used his books to shed light on the devastating consequences of the Vietnam War both in the U.S. and on the global stage. Colonel David H. Hackworth is thus remembered not only for his courage and military successes, but also for his willingness to speak truth to power and his tireless efforts to reform the U.S. military.