Herbert Francis Hardy, Jr.
Captain, U.S. Army

Herbert Francis Hardy, Jr. was born on 1 March 1928, the son of Herbert Francis and Helen (Rice) Hardy, Sr.

On 19 February 1964, Captain Herbert Francis Hardy, Jr. was serving with Detachment A-334 (Plei Do Lim), Company C, 1st Special Forces Group, U.S. Army Special Forces Vietnam, Military Assistance Advisory Group Vietnam (MAAGV).

On that day, as Commander of Special Forces Detachment A-334, CPT Hardy was directing the operations of a Vietnamese strike force platoon when the unit became engaged in combat with Viet Cong forces. During the ensuing battle in which the strike force personnel withdrew, CPT Hardy exposed himself to rounds of mortar fire in an attempt to rally the platoon and organize a counterattack. When this effort was unsuccessful, he then led a remaining American advisor and a Vietnamese sergeant down a slope and launched a direct attack on the enemy. Despite the heavy volume of automatic and small arms fire directed at the small force, the swiftness of their actions dislodged the enemy from their well-entrenched positions and caused them to flee toward their mortar positions. When the American advisor sustained a severe leg wound, CPT Hardy provided covering fire, rushed to his aid, and pulled him to a safe position. After administering first aid to his fellow soldier, he initiated the withdrawal of the small party toward their base camp. This extremely dangerous operation required their going through Viet Cong-infested territory and exposure to their traps and ambushes. CPT Hardy periodically reconnoitered the route ahead of the party and, after a grueling ordeal lasting four and one-half hours, brought his small force to the safety of the patrol base. His leadership, courageous actions and deep concern for the safety of his men, averted further casualties and served as an inspiration to all who served with him during this operation. Captain Hardy's extraordinary heroism earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Captain Hardy was killed in action by a gunshot wound while on a combat patrol on 4 March 1964.

Medals, Awards, Badges and Tabs

Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart
Army Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge
Special Forces Tab

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 Captain (Field Artillery) Herbert Francis Hardy, Jr. (ASN: 0-71092), 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 Detachment A-334, 5th Special Forces (Airborne), 1st Special Forces. Captain Hardy distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 19 February 1964. As Commander of Special Forces Detachment A-334, Captain Hardy was directing the operations of a Vietnamese strike force platoon when the friendly unit became engaged in violent combat with Viet Cong forces. During the ensuing battle, in which the strike force personnel withdrew, Captain Hardy exposed himself to the rounds of mortar fire in an attempt to rally the platoon and organize a counter-attack. When this effort was unsuccessful, he then bravely led a remaining American advisor and a Vietnamese sergeant down a slope and launched a direct attack on the enemy. Despite the heavy volume of automatic and small arms fire directed at the small force, the swiftness of their actions dislodged the enemy from their well-entrenched positions and caused them to flee toward their mortar positions. Then, when the American advisor sustained a severe leg injury, Captain Hardy quickly provided covering fire, rushed to his aid, and succeeded in pulling him to a safe position. After administering first aid to his fellow soldier, he initiated the withdrawal of the small party toward their base camp. Throughout this extremely dangerous operation which required their going through Viet Cong infested territory and exposure to traps and ambushes, he periodically reconnoitered the route ahead of the party and, after a grueling ordeal lasting four and one-half hours, succeeded in bringing his small force to the safety of the patrol base. His dynamic leadership, coolness under fire, and deep concern for the safety of his men averted further casualties and served as an inspiration to all who served with him during this hazardous operation. Captain Hardy's valiant efforts and extraordinary heroic actions are in the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflect the utmost credit upon himself and the military service.

General Orders: Department of the Army, General Orders No. 8 (March 9, 1965)

Honors

The name Herbert F Hardy Jr is located on Panel 1E Line 45 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

Burial

Captain Herbert Francis Hardy, Jr. is buried at Mount Pleasant Catholic Cemetery in Bangor, Penobscot County, Maine, in Section XII-3, Lot 1.

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