Calvin T. Hunt

Lt. Col. CALVIN T. HUNT, USAF Ret., age 80, of Cortland, NY died Sunday, August 14, 2005 at the Syracuse Veterans Hospital, Syracuse, NY. He was born in Ithaca, NY on Nov. 8, 1924, the son of the late Walter H. and Bertha A. Prudom Hunt. "Cal" was graduated from Dryden High School in 1942 and from Cornell University with a BA degree in 1948. He also received a MS degree from the George Washington University, Washington, DC in 1964.

During WW II he served as a B-17 navigator with the 613th Bomb Squadron, 401st Bomb Group, 8th Air Force, in England. He flew 24 combat missions over Germany and occupied Europe. Cal was awarded the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters and the ETO ribbon with two Battle Stars, additionally his Unit was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation. In 1949 he re-entered the USAF and graduated from pilot training in 1950. During the Korean War he served as a pilot with the 19th Troop Carrier Squadron, 315th Troop Carrier Wing, flying combat support missions in Korea. He was awarded the Commendation Ribbon for meritorious service and the Korean Service Medal with two Battle Stars. From 1955 to 1960 he was assigned to the 26th Air Refueling Squadron (SAC) at Westover AFB, MA and Plattsburgh AFB, NY. In 1960 he was appointed the Officer in Charge, Training Plans Branch, 4108th Air Refueling Wing at Plattsburgh. For his meritorious service from 1960-1963 he was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal.

Lt Col Hunt attended the USAF Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Alabama in 1963-64. His final assignment was at the embassy in New Delhi, India where he served as a pilot/attache from 1966-1969. After retiring from the USAF, Lt Col Hunt was employed as an airline captain with Mackey International Airlines, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida from 1969-1981.

His memberships include The First Presbyterian Church of Dryden, Leonard T. Spaulding Post #1134, American Legion, Dryden Historical Society, The Retired Officers Association, the 401st Bomb Group Association, and the 8th Air Force Historical Society.

Surviving are his wife, the former Sandra Reed, of Cortland; a son, Shaun C. (Sonia) Hunt, Capt USAF of Windsor, CT and two daughters, Julie E. Hunt, 1LT USA with the 94th Engineer Battalion serving in Iraq and Louise A. (William) Estes of Concord, CA; a grandson, James W. Estes of Concord; nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 10 AM Friday, August 19, 2005 at the Perkins Funeral Home with Rev. David C. Robinson officiating. Burial with full military honors provided by members of the Dryden Veterans Memorial Home Ritual Team will be in Willow Glen Cemetery, Dryden. Cal’s family will be present to receive their friends from 7 to 9 PM Thursday at the funeral home, 55 West Main St., Dryden. In lieu of flowers, memorials are directed to the First Presbyterian Church of Dryden, P.O. Box 42, Dryden, NY 13053-0042 or the Dryden Historical Society, P.O. Box 69, Dryden, NY 13053-0069.