David Hackworth, the decorated Vietnam veteran who outraged superiors by coming out against the war, has died. Hackworth's career in the military spanned from the tail end of World War II to the Vietnam War. In disgust, he emigrated to Australia following his Vietnam service and gave away his many, many medals (eight Purple Hearts, 10 Silver Stars) to a platoon of 12-year-old children. After more than a decade in exile raising ducks and making a successful go in the restaurant business, Hackworth returned to the United States to write extensively on military affairs. His greatest success after turning in his rifle for a pen was his blockbuster autobiography, About Face (buy it here). Hackworth leaves behind a wife, children, and legions of admirers.
Despite criticism directed to Col Hackworth over the years (some justified), he was a patriot who continued to fight for the interests of U. S. armed forces members throughout the world.
Much of the criticism directed toward him was from members of the establishment (many of whom were dishonest) who could not stand that Hackworth had the balls to stand up to wrong doers. The fact he had some "warts" himself is less relevant to me, as I personally know he engendered the trust of many thousands within the armed forces who provided him the necessary "ammo" to expose wrong doings when they occurred. Integrity matters.
His death has saddened my day. May he rest in peace.
He had good reason to be angry, after the way the US government and people treated our soldiers during and after Vietnam.
No, thank YOU Mr LBJ!
It can’t be stressed enough how differently our country and people treated servicemen during and after Viet Nam and how our soldiers are treated today.
Uniformed people were spat on, physically harassed, pummeled with obscenities and generally despised by most of their own generation. The only break they got was from parents and other citizens their parents’ ages that were likely WWII vets and appreciated the service.
This is why I think that VN vets are more of a brotherhood than vets from other wars.
Hackworth understood this. RIP.
