David Spencer Hackett was born on 6 September 1943 in Ligonier, PA, and was the oldest son of Spencer Ross and Mary Elizabeth Stevenson Hackett.

Hackett was raised in Ligonier and attended the Valley School of Ligonier. In 1957, he entered Philips Academy in Andover, MA, and entered Princeton University in 1961, where he graduated in 1965. He was an outstanding soccer and lacrosse athlete and scholar in both prep school and college, having been soccer captain both at Andover and Princeton.

David was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1965 through the NROTC program upon his graduation from Princeton. He entered active duty in the Marine Corps in January 1966 and attended Basic Class 3-66 at The Basic School in Quantico, VA, with 2nd Platoon of Echo Company. He graduated on 27 May 1966, 5th in the Class and was the Honor Graduate of Echo 2.

2ndLt Hackett was shipped to the Republic of Vietnam where he was assigned to Hotel Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Amphibious Force in Quang Tri Province, South Vietnam.

During the period 22-26 April 1967, BLT 2/3 as part of the SLF was conducting a search and destroy mission (Operation Beacon Star) in Thua Thien Province, approximately 16 miles north of Hue. 1st Lt Hackett was now the Executive Officer (XO) of Hotel Company. As the “Hill Fights” developed, 2/3 was tapped to supplement the build-up of forces at Khe Sanh Combat Base. They were heli-lifted to Phu Bai and then moved by C-130 to Khe Sanh. Once on the ground, they followed in trace of other infantry units that had already captured Hill 861 and were positioning to attack 881 South from a northern approach.

On 29 April, Mike Company 3/9, while moving to the north of Hill 881 South, had encountered entrenched NVA as they moved through a draw (XD 784448). Hotel Company 2/3 moved into the same draw at mid-morning on 30 April. 1stLt Hackett was on a ridge just above the draw when Hotel Company’s leading platoons were taken under fire by NVA in well-camouflaged and entrenched positions by heavy machine guns and sniper rifles, later verified to be equipped with scopes. Observing the location of the NVA machine gun that was inflicting heavy casualties on Hotel Company, Dave sprang up from a small depression and moved 30 meters through heavy enemy fire to provide direction for a Marine M-60 machine-gun team. Dave’s direction placed heavy fire on on the NVA bunker, in which the NVA heavy machine gun was located, and neutralized the position. Still under heavy fire, Lt Hackett directed the evacuation of several of the casualties. Recognizing that the Company Commander’s radioman had been killed, Dave sent his radioman to take over as the CO’s radioman. Next, he moved forward to assist in the direction of the 2nd Platoon, as their platoon commander had been wounded.

It was during this courageous action that 1stLt Hackett was shot in the back of the head by an enemy sniper. He died in Quang Tri Province between Hill 861 and the northern approaches to Hill 881 South in what 2/3 called “Operation Beacon Star – Phase II.” His body was recovered. For his valor, he was awarded the Silver Star posthumously.

At the time of his death, Dave Hackett was 23 years old and single.

Medals and Awards

Silver Star Medal
Purple Heart
Combat Action Ribbon
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal

Silver Star Medal Citation

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant David S. Hackett (MCSN: 0-92088), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company H, Second Battalion, Third Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Reinforced), in the Republic of Vietnam, on 30 April 1967. While conducting a search and destroy mission in Thua Thien Province, North of Khe Sanh, the company came under a sudden and vicious attack from fortified enemy emplacements less than one hundred meters away. Armed with .50 caliber machine guns, automatic rifles and small arms with sniper scopes, the enemy inflicted heavy casualties. First Lieutenant Hackett unhesitatingly charged thirty meters through a hail of automatic fire to direct an M-60 machine gun team against an enemy bunker. Once this mission was completed, he again exposed himself to the intense fire to organize a stricken platoon and help evacuate the seriously wounded. Upon completion of this task, he once again rushed to the base of fire to encourage and direct his men's fire. While pressing the assault and encouraging his Marines, First Lieutenant Hackett was mortally wounded. By his outstanding courage, indomitable fighting spirit and selfless efforts in behalf of others, First Lieutenant Hackett served to inspire all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

Honors

The name David S Hackett is located on Panel 18E Line 122 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

Burial

First Lieutenant David Spence Hackett is buried at Saint Michaels Cemetery in Rector, PA, in Section 01, Lot 18, Grave 01.

[Thanks to Captain Dave Mellon, USMCR, a classmate of Dave Hackett in Basic Class 3-66, for the valuable information he provided for this bio. Capt Mellon also served as a platoon commander in Vietnam and was wounded.]