Harold Glen Hatch

Captain Harold Glen Hatch, USN (Ret) of Fair Oaks Ranch, Texas passed away at home, surrounded by his family, on Friday, July 12, 2013 at age eighty-six. Born March 24, 1927 in Port Arthur, Texas, he was the son of Lenard and Katie May Hatch. Glen quit high school in 1944 to join the U.S. Navy during World War II. He entered boot camp at Great Lakes, Illinois and then finished basic engineering school in Norfolk, Virginia. During the war he served on a remote island in the Philippines preparing for the invasion of Japan. He was discharged in March, 1946 Glen returned to Port Acres and graduated from Stephen F. Austin High School in December, 1947. During his senior year he quarterbacked his team to the Bi-District Championship. Following one semester of college and a few short cruises as a Merchant Mariner, he reenlisted in the Navy in March, 1948. He was subsequently selected to attend the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. In June, 1953, following graduation and commissioning as an Ensign, Glen married Polly Ann Dudley. He completed flight training in Kingsville, Texas and was designated a Naval Aviator in January, 1955. He completed one tour of duty in the S-2 Tracker and then transitioned to the largest aircraft to operate off aircraft carriers, the A-3 Skywarrior. In 1958 he returned to the Naval Academy as a company officer and in 1962 he returned to flying a reconnaissance version of the A-3. Based in Rota, Spain, he spent the next three years deploying worldwide during the Cold War. Following shore tours in Monterrey, California and Norfolk, Virginia Glen went back to Rota to take command of his first squadron. During this tour he made two deployments to Vietnam flying off carriers and out of Danang. Returning stateside in 1970, he had two assignments in the U.S. and then joined the U.S. Sixth Fleet in Gaeta, Italy. After two years on the staff, he ended his flying career as the Commanding Officer of VR-24 flying C-1 and C-2 aircraft delivering supplies to the fleet. During his career he logged over 5400 hours of flight time and 280 carrier landings. He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, Strike/Flight Air Medal and a number of campaign and commendation awards. Following retirement in September, 1976, he and Polly enjoyed an extended cruise through the Bahamas on their forty-one foot sailboat. Following a short stint working for Sylvania Systems in Iran, he and Polly moved to Sotogrande, Spain to enjoy the golf, food, and lifestyle of the region. They traveled extensively but moved back to the U.S. in the late eighties to be near the children and grandchildren. Over the past twenty years they maintained homes in La Quinta, California, Pensacola, Flagstaff, and Fair Oaks Ranch. Glen was an avid golfer, sailor, horseman, and traveler. He never met a stranger and was always ready to pack up for any adventure. He relished the simple joys of life and was happiest in Southern Spain going to the local bars enjoying tapas. He enjoyed watching his grand childrens' activities and never missed an opportunity to be involved in their lives. Glen and Polly recently celebrated their 60th anniversary on June 19. He is survived by his wife, Polly, sons Glen Jr. and his wife Virginia, Paul and his wife Mary Anne, and daughters, Polly Long and her husband Mark, and Julie Palmer and her husband Jim, sister, Doris Hyslop and brother, Don Hatch. He will be sorely missed by his grandchildren, Nicole Palmer, Tyler Palmer, Lauren Hatch, Will Hatch, Elizabeth Hatch, Harry Hatch, Paul Hatch, Polly Ann Long and Callie Long. Visitation will be held for family and friends at the Ebensberger-Fisher Funeral Home in Boerne, Texas between 5:00 and 6:00 PM Friday, July 19th. A Memorial Service will be held in the Saint Helena Episcopal Church in Boerne, Saturday, July 20th at 11:00, followed by a reception at the The Helene House Event Center in Boerne.