Hugh W. Hardy
Encyclopedia
Major General
Hugh W. Hardy (December 10, 1924-April 3, 2003) was a United States Marine Corps
Reserves major general and a geoscientist. Hardy served with the Marine Corps Reserves for 40 years. In his civilian career as a geoscientist, he had a 34-year career with Exxon
which included pioneering research in well-logging and 3D seismic exploration
.
degree in Geological Engineering.
, South Carolina (1945). He was commissioned a reserve second lieutenant upon completion of Platoon Commander's School. He was released to inactive duty in 1945 and returned to Oklahoma to complete his college education. He was subsequently employed by Humble Oil/Exxon.
With the onset of the Korean War
, Hardy was called to active duty in August 1950 with Company B, 14th Infantry Battalion, USMCR in Galveston, Texas. In September 1950, he reported to Quantico, Virginia to attend the 1st Special Basic Course. He served with the 2nd Marine Division at Camp Lejeune from January 1951 to March 1952. He was released back to inactive duty in 1952.
He served in Marine reserve units in Wichita Falls, Texas; Houston, Texas; London, England; Camp Pendleton, California; Quantico, Virginia; Camp Lejeune, North Carolina; and in the Mediterranean with the 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Division, attached to the United States Navy's 6th fleet. He had command responsibilities and progressed in rank from 2nd lieutenant to brigadier general. In 1974, he was promoted to the rank of major general.
In 1980, he returned to active duty as Commanding General, Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton
, California (the largest Marine Corps base, with over 40,000 personnel) becoming the first Reserve general to command an active Marine Corps facility.
Hardy retired from the Marine Corps on 1 December 1982.
in 1947 with bachelor of science degree in geological engineering. Upon graduation, he went to work for Humble Oil
(later Exxon) on an offshore seismic crew. In his 34-year career with Exxon, Hardy worked at Humble Oil, Esso Production Research (EPR), Esso Exploration, Exxon Company International, corporate Public Affairs, and Exxon Company USA. His work encompasses a vast breadth of geoscience, administrative, and management areas, including seismic interpretation, seismic data processing, geophysical research, well-logging, computing coordination, emergency preparedness, government relations, and chief scientist. His research work at while at EPR included pioneering work on in well-logging formation/velocity/porosity relationships and in the 3D seismic exploration method.
After retirement from Exxon, he joined GeoQuest in 1981; and, in 1983, he was named president of GeoQuest International. In 1986, he resigned his position as president of GeoQuest
's Services Division. He then established a private petroleum exploration consulting firm, Interpretation Consultants, Inc.
Major general (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, and United States Air Force, major general is a two-star general-officer rank, with the pay grade of O-8. Major general ranks above brigadier general and below lieutenant general...
Hugh W. Hardy (December 10, 1924-April 3, 2003) was a United States Marine Corps
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
Reserves major general and a geoscientist. Hardy served with the Marine Corps Reserves for 40 years. In his civilian career as a geoscientist, he had a 34-year career with Exxon
Exxon
Exxon is a chain of gas stations as well as a brand of motor fuel and related products by ExxonMobil. From 1972 to 1999, Exxon was the corporate name of the company previously known as Standard Oil Company of New Jersey or Jersey Standard....
which included pioneering research in well-logging and 3D seismic exploration
Reflection seismology
Reflection seismology is a method of exploration geophysics that uses the principles of seismology to estimate the properties of the Earth's subsurface from reflected seismic waves. The method requires a controlled seismic source of energy, such as dynamite/Tovex, a specialized air gun or a...
.
Early years
Hugh Hardy was born on December 10, 1924 in Shattuck, Oklahoma. He graduated in 1942 from Capitol Hill High School in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He then attended the Georgia School of Technology from 1943 to 1944, majoring in engineering. He graduated in 1947 from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor of ScienceBachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
degree in Geological Engineering.
Marine Corps career
Hardy enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserves on December 2, 1942. He attend officer training at Georgia School of Technology (1943–1944) and recruit training at Parris IslandMarine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island
Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island is an military installation located within Port Royal, South Carolina, approximately south of Beaufort, the community that is typically associated with the installation. MCRD Parris Island is used for the training of enlisted Marines...
, South Carolina (1945). He was commissioned a reserve second lieutenant upon completion of Platoon Commander's School. He was released to inactive duty in 1945 and returned to Oklahoma to complete his college education. He was subsequently employed by Humble Oil/Exxon.
With the onset of the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
, Hardy was called to active duty in August 1950 with Company B, 14th Infantry Battalion, USMCR in Galveston, Texas. In September 1950, he reported to Quantico, Virginia to attend the 1st Special Basic Course. He served with the 2nd Marine Division at Camp Lejeune from January 1951 to March 1952. He was released back to inactive duty in 1952.
He served in Marine reserve units in Wichita Falls, Texas; Houston, Texas; London, England; Camp Pendleton, California; Quantico, Virginia; Camp Lejeune, North Carolina; and in the Mediterranean with the 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Division, attached to the United States Navy's 6th fleet. He had command responsibilities and progressed in rank from 2nd lieutenant to brigadier general. In 1974, he was promoted to the rank of major general.
In 1980, he returned to active duty as Commanding General, Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton
Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton
Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton is the major West Coast base of the United States Marine Corps and serves as its prime amphibious training base...
, California (the largest Marine Corps base, with over 40,000 personnel) becoming the first Reserve general to command an active Marine Corps facility.
Hardy retired from the Marine Corps on 1 December 1982.
Promotion record
Hardy's Marine Corps promotions are as follows:- First Lieutenant — 10 November 1948
- Captain — 25 June 1952
- MajorMajor (United States)In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, major is a field grade military officer rank just above the rank of captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel...
— 12 July 1956 - Lieutenant ColonelLieutenant Colonel (United States)In the United States Army, United States Air Force, and United States Marine Corps, a lieutenant colonel is a field grade military officer rank just above the rank of major and just below the rank of colonel. It is equivalent to the naval rank of commander in the other uniformed services.The pay...
— 1 July 1964 - ColonelColonel (United States)In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, colonel is a senior field grade military officer rank just above the rank of lieutenant colonel and just below the rank of brigadier general...
— 1 May 1969 - Brigadier GeneralBrigadier general (United States)A brigadier general in the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, is a one-star general officer, with the pay grade of O-7. Brigadier general ranks above a colonel and below major general. Brigadier general is equivalent to the rank of rear admiral in the other uniformed...
— May 1973 - Major GeneralMajor general (United States)In the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, and United States Air Force, major general is a two-star general-officer rank, with the pay grade of O-8. Major general ranks above brigadier general and below lieutenant general...
— 1 May 1974
Decorations
Major General Hardy has been awarded:| Legion of Merit Legion of Merit The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements... |
Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation Meritorious Unit Commendation The Meritorious Unit Commendation is a mid-level unit award of the United States military which is awarded to any military command which displays exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service, heroic deeds, or valorous actions.... |
Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal Good Conduct Medal The Good Conduct Medal is one of the oldest military awards of the United States military. The Navy Good Conduct Medal was first issued in 1869, followed by a Marine version in 1896. The Coast Guard Good Conduct Medal was issued in 1923 and the Army Good Conduct Medal in 1941. The Air Force was... |
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| Selected Marine Corps Reserve Medal w/ 4 service star Service star A service star, also referred to as a battle star, campaign star, or engagement star, is an attachment to a United States military decoration which denotes participation in military campaigns or multiple bestowals of the same award. Service stars are typically issued for campaign medals, service... s |
American Defense Service Medal American Defense Service Medal The American Defense Service Medal is a decoration of the United States military, recognizing service before America’s entry into the Second World War but during the initial years of the European conflict.-Criteria:... |
World War II Victory Medal | Navy Occupation Service Medal Navy Occupation Service Medal The Navy Occupation Service Medal is a decoration of the United States Navy which was issued to Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard personnel who participated in the European and Asian occupation forces following the close of the World War II. The decoration was also bestowed to personnel who... w/ Europe clasp Medal bar A medal bar or medal clasp is a thin metal bar attached to the ribbon of a military decoration, civil decoration, or other medal. It is most commonly used to indicate the campaign or operation the recipient received the award for, and multiple bars on the same medal are used to indicate that the... |
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| National Defense Service Medal National Defense Service Medal The National Defense Service Medal is a military service medal of the United States military originally commissioned by President Dwight D. Eisenhower... |
Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal The Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal is a military award which was created under Executive Order 12830 by George H. W. Bush on January 9, 1993... |
Armed Forces Reserve Medal Armed Forces Reserve Medal The Armed Forces Reserve Medal is a military award of the United States Armed Forces that has existed since 1950. The medal recognizes service performed by the Reserve and National Guard forces of the United States of America.... |
Marine Corps Reserve Ribbon Marine Corps Reserve Ribbon The Marine Corps Reserve Ribbon is a decoration of the United States Marine Corps which was issued between the dates of the December 17, 1945 and December 17, 1965... |
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Geoscientist
Hardy graduated from the University of OklahomaUniversity of Oklahoma
The University of Oklahoma is a coeducational public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. Founded in 1890, it existed in Oklahoma Territory near Indian Territory for 17 years before the two became the state of Oklahoma. the university had 29,931 students enrolled, most located at its...
in 1947 with bachelor of science degree in geological engineering. Upon graduation, he went to work for Humble Oil
Exxon
Exxon is a chain of gas stations as well as a brand of motor fuel and related products by ExxonMobil. From 1972 to 1999, Exxon was the corporate name of the company previously known as Standard Oil Company of New Jersey or Jersey Standard....
(later Exxon) on an offshore seismic crew. In his 34-year career with Exxon, Hardy worked at Humble Oil, Esso Production Research (EPR), Esso Exploration, Exxon Company International, corporate Public Affairs, and Exxon Company USA. His work encompasses a vast breadth of geoscience, administrative, and management areas, including seismic interpretation, seismic data processing, geophysical research, well-logging, computing coordination, emergency preparedness, government relations, and chief scientist. His research work at while at EPR included pioneering work on in well-logging formation/velocity/porosity relationships and in the 3D seismic exploration method.
After retirement from Exxon, he joined GeoQuest in 1981; and, in 1983, he was named president of GeoQuest International. In 1986, he resigned his position as president of GeoQuest
GeoQuest Systems
GeoQuest Systems supplies geology software, systems integration, and information-management services and software to the oil and gas industry.- History :...
's Services Division. He then established a private petroleum exploration consulting firm, Interpretation Consultants, Inc.