Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

1st Lieutenant

Unit:

Far East Air Forces

Awarded on:

July 30th, 1945

Citation:
"For extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight over Marikinn Airdrome, Luzon, Philippine Islands, on 30 January 1945. Lieutenant Hardin flew in a formation of 9 A-20 aircraft which attacked this enemy base. As he began his run over the target, intense anti-aircraft fire tore a large hole in the right nacelle of his airplane, damaged one of the control cables, andknocked out the manifold pressure gauge. In spite of this damage, Lieutenant Hardin maintained his position in the formation, strafed the area, and dropped all his bombs on the target. Although his plane was extremely difficult to control, he managed to bring it 325 miles back to base. The outstanding courage and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Hardin during this flight are in keeping with the highest tradition of the United States Army Air Forces."