One more warrior stands ready at the gates of heaven. Rest in Peace, SIR.

I hope he get the Blue Max, long overdue, and I hope that his organization continues to take to task the senior leadership at the 5 sided puzzle palace. It will be a long time before another Hack comes along.

I am deeply saddened by the death of Colonel Hackworth. Seems to me we need more leaders like him, the leaders who go out of their way for their men, to the point that he risked his life for them. He is truly an American patriot. I will miss his forums and news later. May God bless you, rest in peace.

Semper Fi, PFD

Colonel Hackworth was a member of that rare breed of a man of integrity, which seems to be so sadly lacking in our society and in the top eschelons of our military. Rest in peace Colonel and thank for watching our backs.

Now that Hack is gone who is going to carry his torch?

Where have all our Col. Hackworth's gone? Our country could surely use them now. Godspeed.

Al Trevino
CW4(RET) USA

P E A C E to you Colonel.

COPIED FROM www.cjonline.com
WHAT A MAN HE WAS!!
VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV
Friday, May 6, 2005

Vet, analyst Hackworth dies

The Associated Press
Retired Army Col. David Hackworth, a decorated Vietnam veteran who spoke out against the war and later became a journalist and an advocate for military reform, has died, his wife said Thursday in Hartford, Conn. He was 74.

Hackworth died Wednesday in Tijuana, Mexico, where he was receiving treatment for bladder cancer.

A Newsweek correspondent during the Gulf War, Hackworth worked in recent years as a syndicated columnist for King Features, often criticizing the Bush administration's handling of the Iraq war.

"Most combat vets pick their fights carefully. They look at their scars, remember the madness and are always mindful of the fallout," Hackworth wrote in February. "That's not the case in Washington, where the White House and the Pentagon are run by civilians who have never sweated it out on a battlefield."

Hackworth ignited a national debate last year when he reported that Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld used a machine to sign condolence letters sent to the families of fallen soldiers. Rumsfeld later promised to sign each letter by hand.

"Hack never lost his focus," said Roger Charles, president of Soldiers for the Truth, a California-based veterans group that Hackworth chaired. "That focus was on the young kids that our country sends to bleed and die on our behalf. Everything he did in his retirement was to try to give them a better chance to win and to come home. That's one hell of a legacy."

Hackworth served four tours of duty in Vietnam and was one of the first senior officers to speak out publicly against the Vietnam War. He was nearly court-martialed before he retired from the military in 1971 and gave up his medals in protest.

He moved to Australia and made millions in a restaurant business and a duck farm. His medals were reissued by Brig. Gen. John Howard in the 1980s and he returned to the United States. Among his books were "The Vietnam Primer," "About Face," and "Hazardous Duty."

He is survived by his wife of eight years, Eilhys England, a stepdaughter and four children from two earlier marriages, the family said.

I wonder why he wasn't at a V.A. Hospital?

Fair winds and following seas...

The man had guts, and his books gave me inspiration in the Marines. He was a real deal warrior.

I wil have a double Jim Beam for him and shed a tear for a truley American Hero. I encourage everyone in the Army today to read his books. He was a straight shooting, no BS kind of leader. We need more like him today.

When his book About face came out I had to special order it through the PX in Bad Toelz Germany. The PX wouldn't carry it. They said it was too controvertial.(no doubt command influence) I asked a couple of the old guys around post about Hack. Was he the real deal. They remembered him from the Korean war. One told me "Out to make a name for himself right from the start....he headed straight to the front lines and the crack of the bullets". Lead on Hack, Lead On

I was deeply saddened yesterday to read that COL Hackworth passed away. He was a true hero and fantastic leader.

Thank you for your service.

Fair Winds and Following Seas, Colonel.

Garry Owen , Hack, I wish I would have had the privilege to be a A.B. GRUNT on one of your sticks.
God Bless and rest well,you are a American Hero. C/511/11ABN

Rest in Peace Colonel Hackworth.

Your Warrior spirit will be missed.

You were a true leader.

I Salute you.

The passing of Col. Hackworth is a sad event in the eyes of many. While not allways agreeable, he was allways outspoken and to the heart of the matter. He lived and believed as a Warrior, tried and true. Out front!! were leaders should be. Integrity, pride and just plain guts. for those who will listen, his life and his writing have many lessons to be learned and passed on. Farewell "Hack", God will have special place for you. May we all take a lesson and "Lead from the Front".Semper Fi

IT IS STARTING TO SINK IN NOW...A GREAT, AND SOMETIMES CONTROVERSIAL, VOICE OF THE MILITARY MAN IS MOVING FROM THE SCENE...TO BE REPLACED BY WHAT?

WILL HIS STYLE BE CARRIED FORWARD? WILL HIS FORUM BE CONTINUED? WILL HE BE REMEMBERED AS A POSITIVE FORCE FOR THE TROOPS HE LED? WILL THE M.O.H. BE A DESERVING PART OF HIS LEGACY?

WE REGULARS PLEDGE TO MAKE THE ANSWER TO ALL THESE QUESTIONS A RESPECTFUL AND RESOUNDING YES

If the Colonel would have been any other man and performed as he did, the Medal Of Honor would have been presented long ago. When a person shows courage, in a manner that causes "the powers that be" to be embarrassed, that person is regulated to unseen status. When the method does not function, the "the powers that be" will do whatever in their power to squelch the one of courage. It usually does not work that way. The Colonel was living proof.
Many times he would write in his column, the errors of the methods first used in the current conflict with Iraq. He predicted exactly what has transpired in the military, to the literal "T" and most of us know and understand. In my opinion he always supported the troops, as we all do on this forum.
The Medal Of Honor was earned and he should have received it while living.

I was saddened to hear of Hacks passing he will be sorly missed. He was the real thing. God bless his family

RIP Colonal! A grateful nation mourns your loss.