Robert Smith Hardison
Private First Class, U.S. Army

On 27 March 1969, Private First Class Robert Smith Hardison was serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, in South Vietnam.

On that day, PFC Hardison was a platoon medic during a reconnaissance-in-force mission near Landing Zone Cider in Kontum Province. The men in the point element engaged several North Vietnamese Army soldiers. As the remainder of the platoon moved forward to assist them, B-40 rocket, mortar, automatic weapons and small arms fire erupted from three sides. Seeing numerous casualties in the enemy killing zone, PFC Hardison repeatedly entered the fire to administer medical treatment and instruct others in caring for the injured. Rescuing the wounded from under the communist' fusillade, he brought them to his unit's hastily formed defensive perimeter. As the platoon was about to withdraw, he made a final check of the area where the point element had first made contact and spotted a wounded soldier lying exposed to enemy fire. Running to the casualty, he shielded the man with his own body and was administering first aid when he was mortally wounded by the enemy fire. PFC Hardison's extraordinary heroism, at the cost of his life, earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart
Army Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Combat Medical Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Private First Class Robert Smith Hardison (ASN: RA-12968434), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3d Battalion, 12th Infantry, 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division. Private First Class Hardison distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 27 March 1969 as a platoon medic during a reconnaissance-in-force mission near Landing Zone Cider in Kontum Province. The men in the point element engaged several North Vietnamese Army soldiers. As the remainder of the platoon moved forward to assist them, ferocious B-40 rocket, mortar, automatic weapons and small arms fire erupted from three sides. Seeing numerous casualties in the enemy killing zone, Private Hardison repeatedly braved the devastating fire to administer medical treatment and instruct others in caring for the injured. Rescuing the wounded from under the communist' fusillade, he brought them to his unit's hastily formed defensive perimeter. As the platoon was about to withdraw, he made a final check of the area where the point element had first made contact and spotted a wounded soldier lying exposed to fierce enemy fire. Racing to the casualty, he shielded the man with his own body and was administering lifesaving first aid when he was mortally wounded by the enemy fire. Private First Class Hardison's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 2199 (June 23, 1969)

Honors

The name Robert S Hardison is located on Panel 28W Line 60 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

Burial

Private First Class Robert Smith Hardison is buried at Hermitage Memorial Gardens in Old Hickory, Davidson County, TN.

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