Remembering a hero: ‘That others may live’

I think every family has a hero — someone whose story will never be forgotten. In my family, the hero is my cousin Jeremy Hardy.

While I was a 9-year-old child, warm and safe inside my grandma and grandpa’s house, he was far away on a combat search and rescue mission.

I heard stories about him at every family reunion and each Thanksgiving dinner. But behind extraordinary bravery often lies heavy, invisible weight.

This fall, my hero cousin, lost his battle with post-traumatic stress disorder. As my family grieves, I want to take time to share his legacy.

I will surely tell my children about their hero cousin. It goes something like this.

U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Jeremy Hardy was a decorated special tactics pararescueman, one of an elite group trained to venture into the most dangerous places on earth under a singular vow: “That Others May Live.”

Over a quarter-century of service, his courage brought over 200 people home safely. He braved chaos across global combat zones and domestic crises alike, including life-saving missions in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Among his most legendary missions occurred in 1999 over Serbia, when an F-16 piloted by Lt. Col. David Goldfein — who would later become Air Force Chief of Staff — was shot down behind enemy lines in the middle of the night.

Jeremy led the rescue mission, flying directly through heavy anti-aircraft fire and surface-to-air missiles.

Touching down under direct small-arms fire, the team secured the pilot in under 60 seconds, physically shielding him with their own bodies as they lifted off to safety.

For his heroism under fire, Jeremy was awarded the Bronze Star for Valor.

Get Help

If you or someone you know is struggling with trauma, depression or substance use, please know you don’t have to carry it alone. Help is available 24/7.

Call or text 988 — press 1 for veterans, or text 838255 — to reach the Veterans Crisis Line or the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

In the final chapters of his career, he passed that same warrior ethos down to the next generation of leaders while serving at the Air Force Academy.

He gave everything to ensure others could come home. We honor his service, remember his sacrifice and hold his memory close.

My cousin will be buried at Arlington Cemetery among other heroes.

Erica Quinlan is an Indiana-based journalist, a field editor for AgriNews and a children’s book author.