Writing with you is the only thing that keeps me alive.

He was assigned as a rifleman to the 351st Infantry Regiment 88th Infantry Division and stationed on occupation duty in Trieste. His request was denied on the grounds that he had "too much" combat experience for the mission. Hackworth soon became totally fed up with the system not to mention the war in Vietnam.

Hackworth is also known for his role in the creation and command of Tiger Force a military unit formed during the Vietnam War to apply guerrilla warfare tactics to the fight against Vietnamese guerrillas. Colonel David Haskell Hackworth (November 11 1930 – May 4 2005) also known as "Hack" was a highly decorated soldier having received 24 decorations for heroism in combat from the Army Commendation Medal to the DistinguiDavid Hackworthd Service Cross.