CAPTAIN H. "REID" HUNTER, 83, USN (Ret.), died Sept. 21,
2009. He was injured at the USNA Columbarium alongside
his wife.
Born in Lafayette, LA, in 1926, Reid grew up in Texas,
graduating from Ranger High School in 1942. He attended
Baylor University until receiving an appointment to the
Naval Academy, graduating with his accelerated class in
1947.
Reid's first assignment was James E. Kyes (DD-787), making
a West Pac deployment evaluating an advanced sonar system.
After graduation from Submarine School, he joined REMORA
(SS-487) in the Western Pacific.
After a shakedown cruise and operations in the Atlantic
with the commissioning detail of TRIGGER (SS-564), he
reported to ComSubLant Staff for two years. He qualified
for command on GRENADIER (SS-525) and deployed to the
North Atlantic and Mediterranean.
Reid returned to the Academy as a Company Officer in 1956.
In 1958, he became XO of TIRU (SS-416) & completed another
WestPac deployment, followed by duty on ComSubPac Staff. He
commanded the submarines SAABALO (SS-302) and REMORA (SS-
487) in Pearl Harbor (1961-1963), deploying again and
evaluating advanced sonar.
He attended the Armed Forces Staff College (1964-1966)
and served in the Office of the SecNav as liaison officer
to the House of Representatives. He went to sea as chief
staff officer of Submarine Squadron Three, followed by
tours as Commander Submarine Division 31 and CO of WINSTON
(LKA-94), participating in the largest amphibious landing
since Inchon in support of USMACV.
He served as plans officer for Commander in Chief Naval
Forces Europe, working with NATO and other U.S. forces
(1959-1961). In 1971, he returned stateside as Director,
Command and Control on the staff of Commander in Chief,
Atlantic Command, coordinating operations with other
CinCs and the JCS. He retired in 1973.
Reid's decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal
with Star, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Unit Commendation
(Star), Navy Expeditionary Medal, WWII Victory, American
Theatre, National Defense (Star), Occupation (Asia), Korean
Service, Vietnam Service (three Stars), UN Medal (Korea),
Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation with Palm and Vietnam
Campaign.
Reid returned to Texas, became a real estate broker and
served as a port director and consultant. He and his wife
Betty, were active in RV affairs, traveling the USA in
their motor-home.
Reid was predeceased by his wife, Betty Beehler Hunter.
He is survived by his sons, David and James (Susan);
daughter, Virginia DuJardin; grandchildren, Laura,
Jessica, Stephen, Jennifer (Andy) and James; and great-
granddaughter, Jordan. His mother was Gladys Hunter,
faculty member of Ranger High School & Ranger College
for many years.