Signal Charley - CDR George Hurley, USN (Ret.)

CDR George E. Hurley, USN (Ret.)

George Hurley passed away on July 4, 2024. ENS Hurley became a Naval Aviator on December 5, 1966 at HT-8, NAS Ellyson Field, Pensacola, Florida. ENS Hurley is Navy Helicopter Pilot Designation Number R-8716.

He was a native of Boston, MA and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy with the class of 1965. While at the academy, he excelled in golf, playing for the academy golf team. If you competed in golf, you wanted him on your team. When he beat you, his smile always made you feel good about losing.

CDR Hurley entered flight training following graduation and after completion, he reported to HS-2. While in HS-2, he deployed to the Gulf of Tonkin flying search and rescue missions. Following his tour with HS-2, he reported to Test Pilot School in Patuxent River, MD. After he completed his tour as a test pilot, he attended the Naval War College. He was ordered back to HS-2 as the Operations Officer. Following HS-2, he reported to Naval Air Systems Command as a Class Desk Officer. He participated in the development of the V-22 Osprey and the AV-8B Harrier. CDR Hurley was selected for command and reported to HS-6 for his XO/CO tour. During this time, HS-6 deployed with USS Constellation. After serving as CO of HS-6, he was assigned to OPDEVFOR. Next, he reported to Patuxent River Test Center as the Chief Test Pilot for Rotary Wing aircraft. He became a member of the Society of Experiential Test Pilots having over seven First-in-Flights. CDR Hurley was selected for Captain and Director of the Test Pilot School. At this point, he decided to retire and attend law school.

After completion of University of San Diego Law School, he practiced business law, specializing in commercial real estate and estate planning. He served on the County of San Diego Board of the American Cancer Society, the Real Property Executive Committee for the California State Bar, and the Supervisory Committee of the North Island Credit Union. He retired in 2021.

He is remembered by his wife, Alice, and daughters, Jennifer and Cynthia. All of those who served with him will long remember his smile, friendship, and certainly his accomplishments. A farewell was held on July 27, 2024 at the Corpus Christi Church in San Diego.

Fair Winds and Following Seas CDR Hurley