Rank Insignia Previous Honoree ID Next Honoree ID


   
honoree image
First Name: Huntington

Last Name: Hardisty

Birthplace:

Gender: Male

Branch: Navy (present)

Rating:





Date of Birth: 03 February 1929

Date of Death: 01 October 2003

Rank or Rate: Admiral

Years Served: 1952 - 1991
Huntington Hardisty
'Hunt'

   
Graduate, U.S. Naval Academy, Class of 1952

Engagements:
•  Vietnam War (1960 - 1973)

Biography:

Huntington Hardisty

Admiral, U.S. Navy

Huntington Hardisty was born on 3 February 1929.

He 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 U.S. Naval Academy where he played football. After graduation from the Academy in 1952, he attended pilot training and was designated a Naval Aviator in 1953.

As a test pilot in 1961, he set the low level speed record in an F-4B of 900 miles per hour at 300 feet above the ground, a record that was unbroken for 16 years. The F-4B is now displayed in the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC.

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; and Deputy and Chief of Staff, U.S. Pacific Command.

On 11 March 1987, Hardisty was promoted to the four-star rank of Admiral and assigned as Vice Chief of Naval Operations from 1987-1988. His last assignment was Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Pacific Command from 1988 to 1991. He received the Gray Eagle Award as Senior Aviator on Active duty.

Admiral Hardisty retired from the Navy in 1991.

In Retirement

After retiring from the Navy, he was a board member of several corporations and served as president of Kaman Aerospace International in Connecticut. He belonged to numerous organizations, including the Association of Naval Aviation, and served as chairman of the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association.

He was one of the technical directors for the movie Hunt for Red October.

Death and Burial

Admiral Huntington Hardisty died on 1 October 2003 in Hartford, CT, at the age of 74. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA.

He was survived by his wife, Sharon, two sons, four grandchildren, a step daughter, and four step grandchildren.



Origin of Nickname/Handle:
Abbreviated version of his first name.

Honoree ID: 538   Created by: MHOH

Ribbons


Medals


Badges


Honoree Photos

honoree imagehonoree imagehonoree image

honoree imagehonoree image

honoree image

Remembrances


Tributes