First Lieutenant Hershel Thrall Hardin

Description:

First Lieutenant Hardin, deceased (Killed in Action), Conway, U.S. Army, WWII. Awards include the Distinguished Service Cross, the Silver Star Medal for Gallantry in Action, the Bronze Star Medal with valor, and the Purple Heart Medal.

First Lieutenant Hardin received the Army Distinguished Service Cross for actions during World War II in France.  The narrative for his award reads as follows: 

For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy.  On 5 September 1944, Lieutenant Hardin led his rifle platoon of the 319th Infantry in an assault upon Fort Villey Le Sec near Toul, France. The enemy position, a concrete and steel pill box located on the crest of a hill was well-fortified, and when Lieutenant Hardin’s platoon had advanced a hundred yards it was pinned down by intense machine-gun fire. Lieutenant Hardin, with complete disregard for his own safety, worked his way forward, located the concealed enemy gun position, and wiped it out with his submachine gun. His platoon then advanced until it was again stopped by fire. Again, Lieutenant Hardin courageously braved intense fire, moving forward until he located the gun. He pinned the enemy down with his submachine gun until he was within 30 yards of their position and destroyed them with grenades. While he was so engaged, an enemy soldier wounded him in both legs with grenades. He killed his enemy and after having his wounds dressed by a medical corpsman continued to lead his platoon in the attack. The heroic, inspiring leadership of Lieutenant Hardin; his courageous and supreme devotion to duty exemplify the highest Traditions as a military forces of the United States.

More Info:

First Lieutenant Hardin, deceased (Killed in Action), Conway, U.S. Army, WWII. Awards include the Distinguished Service Cross, the Silver Star Medal for Gallantry in Action, the Bronze Star Medal with valor, and the Purple Heart Medal.