Huntington Hardisty
Huntington Hardisty | |
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![]() Admiral Huntington Hardisty | |
Nickname(s) | "Hunt" |
Born | February 3, 1929 |
Died | October 1, 2003 Hartford, Connecticut | (aged 74)
Allegiance | United States of America |
Service/ | ![]() |
Years of service | 1952 - 1991 |
Rank | ![]() |
Commands held | Pacific Command |
Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
Other work | President. Kaman Aerospace |
Huntington Hardisty (February 3, 1929 – October 1, 2003) was a United States Navy four star admiral who served as Vice Chief of Naval Operations (VCNO) from 1987 to 1988; and Commander in Chief, United States Pacific Command (USCINCPAC) from 1988 to 1991.
Hardisty was offered a Major League Baseball contract with the Chicago Cubs but opted for a scholarship to the University of North Carolina. He later transferred to the United States Naval Academy where he played football.[1]
After graduation in 1952, he attended pilot training and earned his wings in 1953.[1]
As a test pilot in 1961, he set a low level speed record in an F4H-1 Phantom II of 900 miles per hour at 125 feet above the ground, a record which remained unbroken for 16 years.[2] The actual F4H-1 'Sageburner' is now in storage at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington D.C.[1]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a5/Headstone_of_Huntington_Hardisty.jpg/200px-Headstone_of_Huntington_Hardisty.jpg)
His assignments included command of Carrier Air Wing Eleven, USS Savannah (AOR-4) and USS Oriskany (CVA-34). As a flag officer he was President of the Naval War College, commanded the U.S. Naval Base Subic Bay in the Philippines; commanded Carrier Strike Force Seventh Fleet; and served as Director for Operations, Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Deputy and Chief of Staff, United States Pacific Command; Vice Chief of Naval Operations; and Commander in Chief, United States Pacific Command.[1] He also received the Gray Eagle Award.
He was one of the technical directors for the movie Hunt for Red October.[1]
After retiring from the Navy in 1991, he was a board member of several corporations and served as president of Kaman Aerospace International in Connecticut.[1] He belonged to numerous organizations, including the Association of Naval Aviation, and served as chairman of the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association.[1]
Admiral Hardisty died on October 1, 2003 in Hartford, Connecticut at the age of 74.[2] He was later interred on December 5, 2003, in Arlington National Cemetery.[1]
Awards and decorations[]
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Naval Aviator Badge | ||
Defense Distinguished Service Medal | Navy Distinguished Service Medal with one gold award star | |
Silver Star | Legion of Merit with four award stars and Combat V | Distinguished Flying Cross with award star |
Meritorious Service Medal | Air Medal with gold award numeral 3 and bronze strike/flight numeral 4 | Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat V and two award stars |
Navy Unit Commendation with one bronze service star | Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation with service star | Navy Expeditionary Medal with service star |
China Service Medal | National Defense Service Medal with two service stars | Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with service star |
Vietnam Service Medal with seven service stars | Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with two service stars | Philippine Legion of Honor, Chief Commander |
Vietnam Navy Distinguished Service Order, 2nd class | Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation | Vietnam Campaign Medal |
Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge | ||
United States Pacific Command Badge |
References[]
- 1929 births
- 2003 deaths
- United States Navy admirals
- United States Naval Academy alumni
- United States Navy personnel of the Vietnam War
- United States Naval Aviators
- Burials at Arlington National Cemetery
- Presidents of the Naval War College
- Vice Chiefs of Naval Operations
- Recipients of the Legion of Merit
- Recipients of the Silver Star
- Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)
- Recipients of the Distinguished Service Order (Vietnam)