Master Sergeant Hardin was the radar observer of a F7F-3N Tigercat fighter with the Marine Night Fighter Squadron 513, Marine Air Group 33, 1st Marine Air Wing. On 6 December 1952, while on a combat mission, his aircraft suffered mechanical failure and crashed into the sea near Airfield K-8 (Kunsan). He died of exposure after rescue.

Hardin was awarded the Purple Heart, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.