Education
After graduation in 1952 he attended pilot training, and earned his wings in 1953.
After graduation in 1952 he attended pilot training, and earned his wings in 1953.
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. 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 District of Columbia His assignments included command of Carrier Air Wing Eleven, United States Ship Savannah (AOR-4) and United States Ship Oriskany (CVA-34).
He was one of the technical directors for the movie Hunt for Red October. He belonged to numerous organizations, including the Association of Naval Aviation, and served as chairman of the United States. Naval Academy Alumni Association.
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.
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.