Sen. Berger and Rep. Pyrtle Honor Sgt. David Hardy, Korean War Vet Identified After 74 Years

Sgt. Hardy was born in Reidsville and was captured and died as a prisoner of war

His remains went unidentified until September 2024

Sgt. Hardy returned home to Rockingham County today

Raleigh, N.C. — Today, Senate Leader Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) introduced a formal Senatorial Statement in the N.C. Senate to honor the life and service of Sgt. David Eugene Hardy, a Korean War veteran whose remains were unidentified until last year.

Additionally, Sen. Berger and Rep. Reece Pyrtle (R-Rockingham) prepared a certificate for Sgt. Hardy’s family to be presented with a flag that was flown over the state Capitol in Sgt. Hardy’s honor.

Sgt. Hardy was raised in Reidsville before joining the United States Army. According to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) Sgt. Hardy was reported missing in action on Dec. 1, 1950. In 1953, another POW from Sgt. Hardy’s unit was returned during Operation Big Switch, and reported that Sgt. Hardy died on Feb. 28, 1951.

In 1954, a set of unidentified remains was returned to the U.S. during Operation Glory and buried at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. In December 2019, the DPAA disinterred those remains to identify them.

Sgt. Hardy’s remains were finally identified in September 2024 through dental, anthropological, and DNA analysis.

“Sgt. Hardy’s family never gave up hope that he’d return home to them, and today their prayers were answered,” Sen. Berger said. “He served his country honorably and paid the ultimate sacrifice. It’s devastating to know that for 74 years his family didn’t know where Sgt. Hardy was, but I’m grateful that modern technology could provide closure for them. He is not forgotten.”

During Wednesday’s Senate session, Sen. Berger presented a Senatorial Statement to honor Sgt. Hardy and the Senate adjourned in his honor.

Sgt. Hardy returned home to Rockingham County today, March 5. A funeral service is planned for him on Saturday, March 8.