Background
Rex Hardy was born on August 9, 1915 in Los Angeles, California, United States.
aviator Photographer research scientist writer
Rex Hardy was born on August 9, 1915 in Los Angeles, California, United States.
Rex Hardy studied history at Stanford University in 1937 and attended the U.S. Naval Flying School, Officer Training, in Pensacola, Florida, in 1941.
Since 1978 Rex Hardy has been principal research scientist for NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System. From 1946 to 1977 he was director of flight operations and chief pilot for Northrop Aircraft Co., Lockheed Missiles & Space Co., as well as an aviation consultant.
Rex Hardy was a combat pilot, squadron officer and commander in the U.S. Navy (1941-1946). Before the war he was a freelance photographer for Life, Time, Fortune and Colliers (1939-1941), and a Life staff photographer (1936-1939).
With the outbreak of World War II Rex Hardy became an officer and pilot in the navy's first photo reconnaissance squadron, and served for a time in Edward Steichen's Navy Photographic Unit.