The Americans #925 2nd Lieutenant Neal N. Hardin
Marine Corps pilot, 1942
Lt. Hardin, flying his F-4F Wildcat from VMF-212, swooped
low over the long kunai grass-covered ridge south of
Henderson Field, Guadalcanal, and made a perfect landing.
He was anxious to tell his crew chief of his victories,
flying wingman for Lt. Col. Harold W. (Indian Joe) Bauer,
former Annapolis quarterback in 1930. Bauer had just
won the Medal of Honor, and Hardin was learning well
from him. The 'Canal proved to be a tough classroom.