The incredible story of David Hackworth, who lied about his age to join the Army at 15, became America's youngest colonel, then sacrificed his legendary career to expose the truth about Vietnam on national TV.

Criado por ex-alunos da Universidade de Columbia em San Francisco
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Criado por ex-alunos da Universidade de Columbia em San Francisco

Lena: You know what's wild? There's this military memoir that Jocko Willink calls his favorite book of all time—the one he learned the most about leadership from. And it's not some ancient war classic or West Point textbook.
Miles: Right, it's "About Face" by David Hackworth. And here's the thing that blows my mind—this guy lied about his age to join the Army at fifteen, became the youngest colonel in the service, earned more combat decorations than almost anyone alive, and then...
Lena: Then he basically torched his entire career on national television! In 1971, he went on ABC and told America that the Vietnam War was unwinnable and we needed to get out immediately.
Miles: Exactly! This wasn't some anti-war protester or draft dodger. This was America's most decorated living soldier—a guy who'd been fighting for his country since he was a teenager. And when he saw what was really happening in Vietnam, he couldn't stay silent.
Lena: It's fascinating how someone can love something so deeply that they're willing to destroy their relationship with it to save it. So let's dive into this incredible journey from orphaned kid to military legend to whistleblower.