1.
May 28, 2008

I just read where a young Navy Seal had been killed in Iraq early this year and found out he was the grandson
of C. "Bucky" Harris, who served on PT-109. (see below)

Mark Rissmiller

Feb 10, 2008
Nathan H. Hardy VIRGINIA BEACH - Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer Nathan H. Hardy (SEAL), 29, of Durham, N.H., was killed while conducting combat operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom Feb. 4, 2008. He was based out of the Hampton Roads area. Hardy was born in Falmouth Hospital on Cape Cod Dec. 28, 1978. He grew up in Kirkland, Wash., and Moon Township, Pa, before moving to Durham in 1988. He dreamed of becoming a Navy SEAL at a young age.

Through his years on the soccer and lacrosse fields at Oyster River High School, he discovered and developed the fierce competitiveness and team-first mentality that would later serve him so well on his road to achieving that goal. After graduating high school, he enlisted in the Navy. In doing so, he carried on a naval legacy from his grandfathers. Charles "Bucky" Harris served on the PT 109 with John F. Kennedy and Dr. Irad B. Hardy served as a combat surgeon with the Fourth Marine Division on Tarawa, Saipan, and Iwo Jima.

Chief Hardy graduated from boot camp at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill., in January 1998. The same month, he entered Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training in Coronado, Calif., Class 221. Following graduation from BUD/S in May 1998, and other than attending various schools, he served his entire career with East Coast-based SEAL teams.

His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement medals, three Good Conduct medals, two National Defense medals, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, three Sea Service deployment awards, NATO Medal, Expert Rifle Medal and the Sharpshooter Pistol Medal.

In 2005, while attending the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, Calif., Hardy married the love of his life, Mindi Buck. In 2007, Mindi gave birth to their son, Parker Hall. He lived his dream both at work, where he served the cause of freedom against terror and fear, and at home, where he was a devoted husband and father. In addition to his wife, son, mother, father and brother, he leaves a grandmother, aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was predeceased by his brother, Josh, who died of brain cancer in 1993. Chief Hardy will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery Feb. 15, 2008, at 11 a.m. A celebration of his life will also be held at a later date in his home town of Durham. In lieu of flowers, friends may send donations to the "Nate Hardy Memorial Fund" c/o Navy Federal Credit Union, Building 200, FTC Dam Neck, Virginia Beach, VA 23461.