David Hackworth: Difference between revisions
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'''David H. Hackworth''' is perhaps one of the most prominent military [[journalist]]s writing about the |
'''David H. Hackworth''' is perhaps one of the most prominent [[military]] [[journalist]]s writing about the [[United States]] [[armed forces]] during the latter part of the [[20th century]]. He was a [[colonel]] in the [[United States Army]] before retiring. |
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Hackworth suffered a rough childhood, and ran off to join the U.S. [[Merchant Marine]] at age 14, towards the end of [[World War II]]. After the war, he enlisted in the [[U.S. Army]], and was assigned occupation duty in [[Trieste]]. The start of the Korean War found him a [[sergeant]]; Hackworth volunteered for duty in Korea. |
Hackworth suffered a rough childhood, and ran off to join the U.S. [[Merchant Marine]] at age 14, towards the end of [[World War II]]. After the war, he enlisted in the [[U.S. Army]], and was assigned occupation duty in [[Trieste]]. The start of the [[Korean War]] found him a [[sergeant]]; Hackworth volunteered for duty in [[Korea]]. |
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In Korea, Hackworth fought with the [[US 25th Infantry Division|25th Infantry Division]], winning not only a [[battlefield commission]] as a [[lieutenant]], but medals for valor, as well as [[Purple Heart]]s. He subsequently volunteered for a second tour in Korea, serving with the [[40th Infantry Division]]. |
In Korea, Hackworth fought with the [[US 25th Infantry Division|25th Infantry Division]], winning not only a [[battlefield commission]] as a [[lieutenant]], but medals for valor, as well as [[Purple Heart]]s. He subsequently volunteered for a second tour in Korea, serving with the [[40th Infantry Division]]. |
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After quitting the army after the war ended, Hackworth quickly became bored with civilian life. Pulling every last string he could with old army buddies after a smattering of college courses, Hackworth managed to get back into the expanding "Cold War" model U.S. Army, which had changed substantially from the army he grew up in. Hackworth climbed the peacetime career ladder dutifully, and was a [[battalion]] commander in the [[101st Airborne Division]] when it was sent to [[Vietnam]] in 1965. |
After quitting the army after the war ended, Hackworth quickly became bored with civilian life. Pulling every last string he could with old army buddies after a smattering of college courses, Hackworth managed to get back into the expanding "[[Cold War]]" model U.S. Army, which had changed substantially from the army he grew up in. Hackworth climbed the peacetime career ladder dutifully, and was a [[battalion]] commander in the [[101st Airborne Division]] when it was sent to [[Vietnam]] in 1965. |
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Fighting in Vietnam, followed by staff duty at [[The Pentagon]] soured Hackworth on the Vietnam War. Even so, Hackworth refused to resign, feeling it was his duty as a field grade officer to wage the campaign as best he could. Assignments to a training battalion, to the [[9th Infantry Division]], as well to South Vietnamese troops as a senior advisor, gave him that chance. His unflinching view the U.S. Army was not learning from its mistakes, and that the South Vietnamese [[ARVN]] officers were essentially corrupt, got him in trouble with his superior commanders. Hackworth's disagreements ultimately culminated in a television interview with the [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] program |
Fighting in Vietnam, followed by staff duty at [[The Pentagon]] soured Hackworth on the [[Vietnam War]]. Even so, Hackworth refused to resign, feeling it was his duty as a field grade officer to wage the campaign as best he could. Assignments to a training battalion, to the [[9th Infantry Division]], as well to South Vietnamese troops as a senior advisor, gave him that chance. His unflinching view the U.S. Army was not learning from its mistakes, and that the South Vietnamese [[ARVN]] officers were essentially corrupt, got him in trouble with his superior commanders. Hackworth's disagreements ultimately culminated in a television interview with the [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] program ''Issues and Answers'' in [[1970]]. |
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The interview enraged senior U.S. Army officers at the Pentagon. Hackworth was harassed and ostracized within the army, suffered through a divorce, and retired at the rank of [[colonel]]. In an effort to rebuild his life, Hackworth moved to [[Australia]]. |
The interview enraged senior U.S. Army officers at the Pentagon. Hackworth was harassed and ostracized within the army, suffered through a [[divorce]], and retired at the rank of [[colonel]]. In an effort to rebuild his life, Hackworth moved to [[Australia]]. |
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Hackworth returned to the U.S. in the mid-1980s, and now makes regular |
Hackworth returned to the U.S. in the mid-[[1980s]], and now makes regular [[television]] appearances to discuss various military-related topics. His commentary on the psychological effects of [[post-traumatic stress disorder]] as an experience of combat, based on his own experiences of overcoming the disease, resonates with disabled veterans. |
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His column "Defending America" is distributed by [[King Features Syndicate]]. |
His column "Defending America" is distributed by [[King Features Syndicate]]. |
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Revision as of 04:27, 19 October 2004
David H. Hackworth is perhaps one of the most prominent military journalists writing about the United States armed forces during the latter part of the 20th century. He was a colonel in the United States Army before retiring.
Hackworth suffered a rough childhood, and ran off to join the U.S. Merchant Marine at age 14, towards the end of World War II. After the war, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, and was assigned occupation duty in Trieste. The start of the Korean War found him a sergeant; Hackworth volunteered for duty in Korea.
In Korea, Hackworth fought with the 25th Infantry Division, winning not only a battlefield commission as a lieutenant, but medals for valor, as well as Purple Hearts. He subsequently volunteered for a second tour in Korea, serving with the 40th Infantry Division.
After quitting the army after the war ended, Hackworth quickly became bored with civilian life. Pulling every last string he could with old army buddies after a smattering of college courses, Hackworth managed to get back into the expanding "Cold War" model U.S. Army, which had changed substantially from the army he grew up in. Hackworth climbed the peacetime career ladder dutifully, and was a battalion commander in the 101st Airborne Division when it was sent to Vietnam in 1965.
Fighting in Vietnam, followed by staff duty at The Pentagon soured Hackworth on the Vietnam War. Even so, Hackworth refused to resign, feeling it was his duty as a field grade officer to wage the campaign as best he could. Assignments to a training battalion, to the 9th Infantry Division, as well to South Vietnamese troops as a senior advisor, gave him that chance. His unflinching view the U.S. Army was not learning from its mistakes, and that the South Vietnamese ARVN officers were essentially corrupt, got him in trouble with his superior commanders. Hackworth's disagreements ultimately culminated in a television interview with the ABC program Issues and Answers in 1970.
The interview enraged senior U.S. Army officers at the Pentagon. Hackworth was harassed and ostracized within the army, suffered through a divorce, and retired at the rank of colonel. In an effort to rebuild his life, Hackworth moved to Australia.
Hackworth returned to the U.S. in the mid-1980s, and now makes regular television appearances to discuss various military-related topics. His commentary on the psychological effects of post-traumatic stress disorder as an experience of combat, based on his own experiences of overcoming the disease, resonates with disabled veterans.
His column "Defending America" is distributed by King Features Syndicate.