Fort Polk soldier Sgt. Ethan C. Hardin, 25, of Fayetteville, Ark. was posthumously promoted from the rank of specialist to sergeant after he was killed Jan. 7 of wounds suffered at Logar Province, Afghanistan when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device and small arms fire. Hardin, along with Pfc. Ira B. Laningham, IV, 22, of Zapata, Texas, who also died in the attack, were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Polk.

Hardin joined the U.S. Army in January 2006 and after completing training was stationed at Fort Irwin, California and in Germany before arriving to Fort Polk in March 2010. Hardin previously deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from November 2008 through October 2009.

Hardin's awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, ,Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal and the Combat Infantryman Badge.

Hardin is survived by his mother and father.
Laningham joined the U.S. Army in November 2009 and after completing training arrived to Fort Polk in June 2010.

Laningham's awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, and the Parachutist Badge.
Laningham is survived by his wife, mother and stepfather.