Huntington Hardisty (February 3, 1929 – October 1, 2003) was a United States Navy four star admiral who served as Vice Chief of Naval Operations from 1987 to 1988; and Commander in Chief, United States Pacific Command from 1988 to 1991.
Huntington Hardisty | |
|---|---|
 Admiral Huntington Hardisty | |
| Nickname(s) | "Hunt" |
| Born | February 3, 1929 |
| Died | October 1, 2003 (aged 74) Hartford, Connecticut |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service | United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1952–1991 |
| Rank | Admiral |
| Commands | United States Pacific Command Vice Chief of Naval Operations U.S. Naval Base Subic Bay Naval War College USS Oriskany (CVA-34) USS Savannah (AOR-4) Carrier Air Wing Eleven |
| Battles / wars | Vietnam War |
| Awards | Defense Distinguished Service Medal Navy Distinguished Service Medal (2) Silver Star Legion of Merit (5) Distinguished Flying Cross (2) |
| Other work | President. Kaman Aerospace |
Early life
editHardisty 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]
Naval career
editAfter graduation in 1952, Hardisty 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]
Hardisty's 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.
Later career
editHardisty was one of the technical directors for the movie Hunt for Red October.[1] After retiring from the navy in 1991, Hardisty 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]
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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