Hugh W . Hardy Major General Hugh W . Hardy ( December 10 , 1924 – April 3 , 2003 ) was a United States Marine Corps Reserves major general and a geoscientist . Hardy served with the Marine Corps Reserves for 40 years . In his civilian career as a geoscientist , he had a 34 - year career with Exxon which included pioneering research in well - logging and 3D seismic exploration . Early years . Hugh Hardy was born on December 10 , 1924 in Shattuck , Oklahoma . He graduated in 1942 from Capitol Hill High School in Oklahoma City , Oklahoma . He then attended the Georgia School of Technology from 1943 to 1944 , majoring in engineering . He graduated in 1947 from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Science degree in Geological Engineering . Marine Corps career . Hardy enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserves on December 2 , 1942 . He attend officer training at Georgia School of Technology ( 1943 – 1944 ) and recruit training at Parris Island , South Carolina ( 1945 ) . He was commissioned a reserve second lieutenant upon completion of Platoon Commander ' s School . He was released to inactive duty in 1945 and returned to Oklahoma to complete his college education . He was subsequently employed by Humble Oil / Exxon . With the onset of the Korean War , Hardy was called to active duty in August 1950 with Company B , 14th Infantry Battalion , USMCR in Galveston , Texas . In September 1950 , he reported to Quantico , Virginia to attend the 1st Special Basic Course . He served with the 2nd Marine Division at Camp Lejeune from January 1951 to March 1952 . He was released back to inactive duty in 1952 . He served in Marine reserve units in Wichita Falls , Texas ; Houston , Texas ; London , England ; Camp Pendleton , California ; Quantico , Virginia ; Camp Lejeune , North Carolina ; and in the Mediterranean with the 1st Battalion , 8th Marine Division , attached to the United States Navy ' s 6th fleet . He had command responsibilities and progressed in rank from 2nd lieutenant to brigadier general . In 1974 , he was promoted to the rank of major general . In 1980 , he returned to active duty as Commanding General , Marine Corps Base , Camp Pendleton , California ( the largest Marine Corps base , with over 40 , 000 personnel ) becoming the first Reserve general to command an active Marine Corps facility . Hardy retired from the Marine Corps on 1 December 1982 . Promotion record . Hardy ' s Marine Corps promotions are as follows : Decorations . Major General Hardy has been awarded : Geoscientist . Hardy graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1947 with bachelor of science degree in geological engineering . Upon graduation , he went to work for Humble Oil ( later Exxon ) on an offshore seismic crew . In his 34 - year career with Exxon , Hardy worked at Humble Oil , Esso Production Research ( EPR ) , Esso Exploration , Exxon Company International , corporate Public Affairs , and Exxon Company USA . His work encompasses a vast breadth of geoscience , administrative , and management areas , including seismic interpretation , seismic data processing , geophysical research , well - logging , computing coordination , emergency preparedness , government relations , and chief scientist . His research work at while at EPR included pioneering work on in well - logging formation / velocity / porosity relationships and in the 3D seismic exploration method . After retirement from Exxon , he joined GeoQuest in 1981 ; and , in 1983 , he was named president of GeoQuest International . In 1986 , he resigned his position as president of GeoQuest ' s Services Division . He then established a private petroleum exploration consulting firm , Interpretation Consultants , Inc . Honors . The Marine Reserves award — the Major General Hugh W . Hardy Award — was established in 1998 as an annual award to be presented to the most outstanding Reserve Force Level Asset Unit .