Huntington Hardisty
Encyclopedia
Huntington Hardisty 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. After graduation in 1952 he attended pilot training, and earned his wings 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 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 D.C.
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. He also received the Gray Eagle Award
.
He was one of the technical directors for the movie Hunt for Red October
.
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. 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 survived by his wife Sharon, two sons, four grandchildren, a step daughter, and four step grandchildren. Hardisty died on October 1, 2003 in Hartford, Connecticut at the age of 74. He was buried on December 5, 2003, in Arlington National Cemetery
.
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
four star admiral who served as Vice Chief of Naval Operations
Vice Chief of Naval Operations
The Vice Chief of Naval Operations is the second highest ranking officer in the United States Navy. In the event that the Chief of Naval Operations is absent or is unable to perform his duties, the VCNO assumes the duties and responsibilities of the CNO. The VCNO may also perform other duties...
(VCNO) from 1987 to 1988; and Commander in Chief, United States Pacific Command
United States Pacific Command
The United States Pacific Command is a Unified Combatant Command of the United States armed forces responsible for the Pacific Ocean area. It is led by the Commander, Pacific Command , who is the supreme military authority for the various branches of the Armed Forces of the United States serving...
(USCINCPAC) from 1988 to 1991.
Hardisty was offered a major league baseball contract with the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
but opted for a scholarship to the University of North Carolina
University of North Carolina
Chartered in 1789, the University of North Carolina was one of the first public universities in the United States and the only one to graduate students in the eighteenth century...
. He later transferred to the United States Naval Academy
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
where he played football. After graduation in 1952 he attended pilot training, and earned his wings in 1953. As a test pilot in 1961 he set the low level speed record in an F-4B
F-4 Phantom II
The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II is a tandem two-seat, twin-engined, all-weather, long-range supersonic jet interceptor fighter/fighter-bomber originally developed for the United States Navy by McDonnell Aircraft. It first entered service in 1960 with the U.S. Navy. Proving highly adaptable,...
of 900 miles per hour at 300 above the ground, a record that was unbroken for 16 years. The F-4B is now displayed in the National Air and Space Museum
National Air and Space Museum
The National Air and Space Museum of the Smithsonian Institution holds the largest collection of historic aircraft and spacecraft in the world. It was established in 1976. Located in Washington, D.C., United States, it is a center for research into the history and science of aviation and...
in Washington D.C.
His assignments included command of Carrier Air Wing Eleven
Carrier Air Wing Eleven
Carrier Air Wing Eleven is a United States Navy aircraft carrier air wing based at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California. The air wing is attached to the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz.-Mission:...
, USS Savannah (AOR-4) and USS Oriskany (CVA-34). As a flag officer he was President of the Naval War College
President of the Naval War College
The President of the Naval War College is a flag officer in the United States Navy. The President's House is his official residence.Since the Korean War, all presidents of the Naval War College have been vice admirals or rear admirals.-Presidents:...
, commanded the U.S. Naval Base Subic Bay
U.S. Naval Base Subic Bay
U.S. Naval Base Subic Bay was a major ship-repair, supply, and rest and recreation facility of the United States Navy located in Zambales, Philippines. It was the largest U.S...
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. He also received the Gray Eagle Award
Gray Eagle Award
The Gray Eagle Award is presented to the Naval Aviator on continuous active duty in U.S. Navy or Marine Corps who has held that designation for the longest period of time....
.
He was one of the technical directors for the movie Hunt for Red October
The Hunt for Red October (film)
The Hunt for Red October is a 1990 thriller film based on the novel of the same name by Tom Clancy. It was directed by John McTiernan and stars Sean Connery as Captain Marko Ramius and Alec Baldwin as Jack Ryan...
.
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. 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 survived by his wife Sharon, two sons, four grandchildren, a step daughter, and four step grandchildren. Hardisty died on October 1, 2003 in Hartford, Connecticut at the age of 74. He was buried on December 5, 2003, in Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington County, Virginia, is a military cemetery in the United States of America, established during the American Civil War on the grounds of Arlington House, formerly the estate of the family of Confederate general Robert E. Lee's wife Mary Anna Lee, a great...
.