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Col Hackworth's service record is a matter of public record, and his over 110 awards can be seen at his website. in a nutshell:
1. Hackworth enlisted in the army as a private at age 15
2. He fought in Korea, earning a battle field commission at age 20.
3. In Korea, he earned numerous citations for valor, and 4 purple hearts.
4. Served three tours (two combat) in Vietnam, in the 101st Airborne, and the 9th infantry division.
5. While in the 9th Division, Hackworth commanded 4/39 infantry, a draftee unit. He managed in four months to make the worst batallion in the army into what Gen. Abrams called the best batallion in the army. The 4/39 under Hackworth had the highest ememy/American causalty rate for a leg infantry unit in Vietnam (over 100 enemy killed to every American)
6. In those four months, he recieved another four purple hearts, prompting Gen. Abrams to relieve him before his tour of command was up. (probably saved his life)
7. He became the youngest combat arms full Col in the US Army (at that time) in 1970.
8. He killed his own carrear in 1971 when he blew the whistle on the war effort on national television, and has become a pariah to many in the military/industrial/congressional machine since.
9. All of this is recorded in his autobiography ABOUT FACE.
10. Paperwork put in for his Medal of Honor has been recently discovered (after being "disappeared" by 9th Division staff), and he is under consideration (don't hold your breath in anticipation, they still hate him).
11. Since becoming a civillian he has crusaded for reform of the Military for the benefit of the guys in the mud. Many abuses and corruption have been exposed.
12. i am certain that sneakypete, Always_a_Marine, and others might take exception of your comment about the worst army in US (history?). i certainly take exception, because i served in the worst army in history, the POST Vietnam army of Pres. Ford and Pres. Carter.