I met Col Hackworth several years back at a book signing in Worcester. We had a great conversation. I've read all his books and believe him to be an unheard innovator of modern day tactics. We spoke of the backwardsness of Army teachings reference the almost exclusive WW2 tactics taught at the Command and General Staff College back when I attended in the early 80's. Had the Army incorporated his thinking, I believe many less than 58K plus names would adorn The Wall.
He was a bit of a rebel and considered persona non grata amongst the highest of Army brass. As it turns out, his tactics and teachings were appropriate to jungle warfare whereas the Army's methods during Vietnam were questionably (although not to me) bassackwards.
I believe he might have been one of the last soldiers' soldier.