David Hackworth, Vietnam vet and military analyst, dies at 74

Newsday.com ^ | May 5, 2005 | MATT APUZZO

[AgentEcho]

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, died Wednesday in Mexico, where he was receiving treatment for bladder cancer, his wife said. He was 74.

"He died in my arms yesterday morning," his wife, Eilhys England, said Thursday.

Hackworth, a syndicated columnist for King Features, advocated a streamlined military and improved conditions for troops.

[Semper Paratus]

He served his country honorably regardless his politics.

[dirtboy]

Hack had puzzled me in recent years. But now is not the time to speak ill of him.

[NEBUCHADNEZZAR1961]

Sorry to hear this news. Hack was a patriot, a misguided one, but still a very brave and patrotic person. One of the few on the left I had deep respect for.

He did write some excellent books. "Steel my soldiers heart" was an excellent read.

[Reagan79]

He was a good Army Officer, cared about his men. Wonder why he was in Mexico for treatment?

[Constitution Day]

May he rest in peace.

[Republicus2001]

He served his country honorably.

[rface]

an honorable man - in spite of the fact that he opposed many of the causes that FreeRepublic stands for ...........

[verity]

Very true.

[Dad yer funny]

RIP , Col Hackworth

[keepingtrack]

Most likely Mexico because they'll do risky things with advanced cancer that the FDA prohibits. Many people head south when their American doctors tell them that all treatment options have been exhausted.

[firewalk]

prayers

[Paul Atreides]

I was thinking, just yesterday, that I had not seen him on anything in a long while.

[tiredoflaundry]

Rest in Peace

[Terabitten]

And when he gets to Heaven
To St. Peter he will tell
'One more grunt reporting, sir,
I've served my time in Hell.'

[Doctor Stochastic]

Wonder why he was in Mexico for treatment?

Not uncommon. He was getting treatment that Americans were unwilling to perform.

[johnb838]

This man arranged for CBS News to get the pictures from Abu Ghraib. I'm not sure he was honorable, and I'm not sure I can shed a lot of crocodile tears for him. I'll just say that at least he can't cause any more trouble, and may he rest in peace. Amen.

[trubluolyguy]

Never agreed with his politics, but my Dad served under him in 'nam and came home alive. God speed Colonel, God speed.

[Al Gator]

Well Just Damn!

The Hack was a political pain.

On the other hand, he was always concerned about the welfare of the average grunt in the field.

He was a good man and a good soldier.

74 is too young.

[chambley1]

And this it what it takes to get Hannity off that damn runaway bride story and shed tears for a person worthy of them........

[BluH2o]

God Bless Him ...

Hack was the very embodiment of warrior. I've read most of his books and have a signed copy of his book 'Steel My Soldiers' Hearts'. Great man and great American warrior.

[prairiebreeze]

Disagreeing with him politically I no less extend sympathies to his family. Col. Hackworth was an officer in the United States military. Rest in Peace, sir.

[processing please hold]

Is he the one with the raspy voice that was always on Fox?

[BlueNgold]

Prayers for the family.

[1Old Pro]

Most likely Mexico because they'll do risky things with advanced cancer that the FDA prohibits

Too bad, I would rather see Advanced American medicine used experimentally......but for the lawsuits.

[xzins]

Maybe the medication and cancer threw his thought process off. I didn't realize he was suffering this kind of illness....I might have been more understanding of some his recent out-of-character statements.

Whatever else may be said, he did stand up for the low-ranking soldier to the very end.

[The_Victor]

Rest in peace, soldier.

[tiredoflaundry]

Your thinking of Col Hunt

[TXBSAFH]

Prayers sent from TX.

[Infantry Grunt 1968-69]

Hack developed the Non-Commissioned Officers School at Fort Benning during the Vietnam War.
I graduated from Class 29-68 on July 2, 1968.
Rest in Peace

[monkapotamus]

No

[BigSkyFreeper]

His politics in recent years, particularly after 9/11 confused me, but on the whole, he was a great patriot to this nation.

Rest In Piece Hack.

[DainBramage]

Rest in peace Hack.

[keepingtrack]

I think Steve McQueen was down in Mexico prior to his death for the same reasons--experimental cancer therapy.

[JRochelle]

And I know of no one who those quacks in Mexico have cured. But I know of several people those bas***ds have killed with their snake oil treatments.

[Bahbah]

Prayers for the repose of his soul.

[BigSkyFreeper]

That's Colonel David Hunt.

[dirtboy]

I might have been more understanding of some his recent out-of-character statements.

Sometimes I think that, when people enter the celebrity news culture, it really affects their ability to think through and judge what they are saying. You get face time for being controversial, so you tend to gravitate towards the hyperbolic. I think that might be part of what happened with Hack.

[processing please hold]

Thank you.

[Enterprise]

I just kinda separated the man from his politics.

A good man died.

[tiredoflaundry]

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Rest in Peace Brother

[auboy]

I'm sorry to hear of his passing, Bladder cancer had to be very painful. Yes, 74 is too young.

[jpl]

Colonel Hackworth was one of our most decorated servicemen in the history of our country. Rest in peace, soldier, and thank you from a grateful nation.

[skeeter]

Wow, I didn't know he was sick.

[processing please hold]

Your thinking of Col Hunt

Yes, that who I was thinking of. Couldn't put the name with the face. Thanks.

[RebelBanker]

Rest in Peace, Colonel. I disagreed with his politics but respected the heck out of his service in uniform.

IIRC, the one on Fox with the raspy voice is named Hunt.

[Travis McGee]

He took his death like a man, without whining to us all about it. I'll give him that much.

RIP Hack.

[evolutionary]

Is it your opinion that the behavior of the soldiers at Abu Ghraib should have continued? It is the responsibility of the media to expose atrocious behavior even if it makes our govt. or military look bad. The media was not responsible for the Abu Ghraib scandal, but the military was.

[jbstrick]

God Bless the Col.

He served his country, and should be honored as a hero.

We disagreed on many things, but I know where he would have stood if the enemy were at the gates.