Garnett 'Sonny' Lee Hardeman, Jr.

October 19, 1942 - April 8, 2011 (Age 68)

Garnett Lee Hardeman Jr. (Sonny) began his military career in May 1960 at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He was 17 years old. His early career included service in both the 82nd Airborne Division as a paratrooper and the 10th Special Forces as a Green Beret. He volunteered twice during the Vietnam War where he served as Platoon Sergeant once and Company Commander of a Cambodian Unit once. During his tours in Vietnam, he received the Army Commendation Medal and the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious achievements. After the war, he finished first in his Air Assault School and was a Staff Sergeant in the 101st Airborne Division. He ended his career with five years as a Sergeant First Class Army Recruiter. As a recruiter he earned multiple Gold Star Recruiter Badges for his outstanding recruiting efforts. It was also as a recruiter that he became a resident of Habersham County where he would remain for the rest of his life. He retired from the military in January 1981 and died of cancer on April 8, 2011 at the age of 68.