#VeteranOfTheDay Army Veteran Harold Michael Hambrick

Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Army Veteran Harold Michael Hambrick, who served during World War II, Korea and Vietnam and was killed in action.

Originally from Los Angeles, California, Harold Michael Hambrick entered the military when he was 26. He initially served as a Marine Raider during World War II. He later served as a Marine in the Korean War.

At 48 years old—after tours in both World War II and Korea—Hambrick was retirement eligible from the Marines. However, he chose to continue serving his country.

Enlisting in the United States Army, he became a paratrooper during the Vietnam War. In the summer of 1965, Hambrick volunteered for the 1^st Cavalry Division, Airmobile. The following August, he began what would become his final tour, specializing in light weapons infantry.

On Oct. 10, 1965, in “Operation Shiny Bayonet,” the 1^st Cavalry Division initiated their first brigade-size airmobile attack against the North Vietnamese Army. In order to locate enemy snipers, Hambrick attempted to draw enemy fire. An enemy soldier killed Hambrick with a single round. He was the first killed in action during the battalion.

John Laurence and Morely Safer covered the battle for CBS. It aired on CBS as “The Downed Helicopter and the Dying Soldier.” Laurence’s book is called “The Cat from Hue: A Vietnam War Story,” with Operation Shiny Bayonet featured in the chapter titled “October 10, 1965.”

Hambrick is buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. He received a Purple Heart for his service. His name on the Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial in Washington, D.C., on Panel 2E, line 116.

We honor his service.

Nominate a Veteran for #VeteranOfTheDay

Do you want to light up the face of a special Veteran? Have you been wondering how to tell your Veteran they are special to you? VA’s #VeteranOfTheDay social media feature is an opportunity to highlight your Veteran and his/her service.

It’s easy to nominate a Veteran. Visit our blog post about nominating to learn how to create the best submission.

Contributors

Writer: Aubrey Hutson

Editor: Kelly Dooley

Fact checker: Monique Quihuis

Graphic artist: Brandi Muñoz