William Richard Hardin was born on March 2, 1932, in Chicago, IL. From there his family moved to Lincroft, NJ, and then to Westfield, NJ. His home of record is Westfield, NJ.
William graduated from Westfield High School in 1950. His yearbook excerpt stated “set of model trains…favorite pastimes-reading…summer visitor to Canada…on the decorating committee…for the Junior Prom…rifle marksman…red sweaters…hidden humor…future ambitions include…engineering…Dick.”
After high school, he went on to college at Purdue University. There he was a member of the ROTC. At Purdue, he met his future wife, Joan. They married and eventually had four daughters. During his ten years of service in the US Army, he attained the rank of Captain (CAPT). On August 16, 1965, Hardin left for Vietnam to be stationed at An Khe with the 1st Cavalry Division.
On January 29, 1966, he was killed by hostile forces while piloting a C47 “Chinook” helicopter, in the vicinity of Que Nhon, South Vietnam.
Sources: Newspaper clippings, Westfield Town Memorial Library, and NJVVMF.
7/1/2010
