Huntington Hardisty
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.
Huntington Hardisty | |
|---|---|
 Admiral Huntington Hardisty | |
| Nickname(s) | "Hunt" |
| Born | February 3, 1929 |
| Died | October 1, 2003 (aged 74) Hartford, Connecticut |
| Allegiance |  |
| Service/ |  |
| Years of service | 1952 - 1991 |
| Rank |  |
| Commands held | Pacific Command |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
| Other work | President. Kaman Aerospace |
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]
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
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Julien J. LeBourgeois |
President of the Naval War College April 1, 1977–October 13, 1977 |
Succeeded by James B. Stockdale |
| Preceded by James B. Busey IV |
Vice Chief of Naval Operations 1987-1988 |
Succeeded by Leon A. Edney |