Army Spc. Richard A. Hardy

Died October 15, 2005 serving during Operation Iraqi Freedom

24, of Newcomerstown, Ohio; assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Ga.; killed Oct. 15 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his M2A2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle during combat operations in Ramadi, Iraq.

Tuscarawas County soldier killed in Iraq

Associated Press

BOLIVAR, Ohio — A soldier from Bolivar in Tuscarawas County has died in Iraq, his father said.

Army Spc. Richard Hardy died Oct.15 in Ramadi with four other soldiers when a rocket-propelled grenade got inside their tank and exploded, said his father, Richard “Rick” Hardy of Dennison..

The 24-year-old Hardy was on his second tour of duty in Iraq.

Master Sgt. James Waialae of the 758th Maintenance Company in Canton says it was a lucky shot that killed the five soldiers. He said the grenade must have entered the tank through an open hatch.

Hardy lived in Bolivar until his parents divorced, then lived in the Canton area for a while until he moved back with his father in Dennison. He graduated from Timken High School in Canton in 2000.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete.