| Huntington Hardisty | |
| Nickname: | "Hunt" |
| Birth Date: | 3 February 1929 |
| Death Place: | Hartford, Connecticut |
| Placeofburial: | Arlington National Cemetery |
| Allegiance: | United States |
| Branch: | United States Navy |
| Serviceyears: | 1952–1991 |
| Rank: | Admiral |
| Commands: | United States Pacific Command Vice Chief of Naval Operations U.S. Naval Base Subic Bay Naval War College Carrier Air Wing Eleven |
| Battles: | Vietnam War |
| Awards: | Defense Distinguished Service Medal Navy Distinguished Service Medal (2) Silver Star Legion of Merit (5) Distinguished Flying Cross (2) |
| Laterwork: | 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 from 1987 to 1988; and Commander in Chief, United States Pacific Command 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, 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, and . 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.
Hardisty 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]
| 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 | ||