Colonel Orin Doughty "Hard Rock" Haugen, A Soldier's Story
Colonel Orin Doughty "Hard Rock" Haugen, A Soldier's Story
Colonel Orin Doughty Haugen was born on August 18, 1907, in Wyndmere, North Dakota. He was educated at the United States Military Academy at West Point and commissioned into the U.S. Army Infantry, beginning a career that would place him at the forefront of one of the Army’s most demanding new combat roles.
An accomplished horseman, Haugen was known for his participation in polo matches and for his enthusiasm for hunting, including fox hunting, pursuits that reflected both physical rigor and discipline. These traits would later define his leadership style.
As the United States prepared for entry into World War II, Haugen volunteered in 1940 for the newly established airborne infantry. Paratrooper service was unproven, dangerous, and physically punishing, and Haugen quickly distinguished himself as one of its most uncompromising advocates. His insistence on discipline, conditioning, and realism in training earned him the nickname “Hard Rock.”
Haugen became a commander within the 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, helping shape the standards that defined U.S. Army airborne forces. His methods emphasized toughness, cohesion, and battlefield adaptability, traits that would become hallmarks of American paratroopers throughout the war.
During World War II, Haugen and his paratroopers distinguished themselves during the Leyte and Luzon campaigns in the Philippines. Their operations involved rapid movement, aggressive engagement, and sustained combat under harsh conditions.
On February 22, 1945, during the Battle of Manila, Colonel Haugen was struck by mortar fire while his unit was engaged in operations connected to the effort to liberate Allied prisoners held at the Los Baños prison camp. Though mortally wounded, his regiment continued the mission. The prisoners were successfully freed the following day.
Colonel Orin Doughty “Hard Rock” Haugen was killed in action in February 1945. He is buried at Golden Gate National Cemetery, among fellow service members who gave their lives in World War II.
His legacy endures in the airborne forces he helped shape, soldiers trained to endure hardship, seize initiative, and carry the fight forward against overwhelming odds.
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About the Author
a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller traveling through life
She shares her journeys at Take the Back Roads, explores new reads at Rite of Fancy, and highlights U.S. military biographies at Everyday Patriot.
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