The US Open is tradition rich. Labor Day Weekend, the first in September, brings summer to a close. For the past fifteen years on Labor Saturday, Lt. Joe Hunt Military Appreciation Day has taken place… And it has become a cherished activity.
This year Lt. Joe Hunt Military Appreciation Day was September 5th. It was one day short of the sultry day 83 years ago when, at the West Side Tennis Club in Forest Hills, Lieutenant Joe Hunt, on leave from the Navy, defeated Seaman Jack Kramer, on leave from the Coast Guard. Hunt won 6-3, 6-8, 10-8, 6-0 to win the US National Men’s Singles title.
The championship was historic for Hunt. With the triumph, he became the only player ever to win all the U.S. national titles which included the boys’, junior, intercollegiate and men’s singles trophies.
On February 2, 1945, 516 days after the Kramer victory Hunt’s life came to an end. Flying his Grumman F6F Hellcat during a training exercise, the plane went into a spin and crashed into the Atlantic Ocean off Daytona Beach, Florida.
He was Joseph R. Hunt…and now thanks to the fortitude of his great nephew Joseph T. Hunt, a former Southern California junior tennis standout from Santa Barbara who practices law in Seattle and is the family spokesperson, Lt. Joe Hunt Military Appreciation Day has become a treasured tournament custom.
In his introductory remarks to spectators who gathered in the plaza in front of Arthur Ashe Stadium, Hunt said, “In the fall of 1938, at age 19, Joe was the 5th ranked player in the country. With war looming in Europe, Joe left the University of Southern California and transferred to the United States Naval Academy with no fanfare. He told no one… not even his parents. The tennis world (and Joe’s parents) once they finally found out were in shock. Surely, this was the end of Joe’s dream to become a champion.
“In December ’41, two weeks after Pearl Harbor Joe’s class was sent to war early and he spent the next year and a half on a destroyer in the Pacific. Late in the summer of 1943, he had a short leave between deployments. Joe could have rested at home. He had already won every possible national title… except this one. So, he came to New York.”
After his opening Hunt introduced Rear Admiral Richard Brophy the featured speaker.
Hunt went on to say, “We would like to pay a special tribute to a 100 year old WWII Navy combat veteran Arthur Grubiner who inspires us all by his very presence today. Arthur is a living legacy who connects us to a history of heroism that changed the world for good.”
Hunt acknowledged Colonel James Tom, “…who for the past several years has assumed the sacred duty of welcoming home Vietnam Veterans who never received their due when they completed their service. A Gulf War veteran, he has devoted himself to righting that wrong.”
He called attention to the US Naval Academy men’s coach Chris Garner and members of the women’s team attending Lt. Joe Hunt Military Appreciation Day.
He continued, “Fred McNair IV comes from a historic Naval Academy lineage. His great-grandfather Frederick V. McNair was rear admiral, and his grandfather Frederick V. McNair Jr. was a captain and medal of honor winner. Fred is a member of the US Open Final 8 Club and celebrated the 50th Anniversary of winning the Roland Garros Men’s Doubles after which he was ranked World No. 1.”
“Dick Stockton, former World No. 8, a multiple grand slam semifinalist and is also a member the US Open Final 8 Club. With his lovely wife Liz, they are continually gratified by their work giving free tennis clinics to service members and their children through their non-profit, “Boots on the Court”.
Hunt gave a shoutout to actor Rob Stone, an Honorary Member of the Blue Angels, for producing two award-winning films “Blue Angels: Around the World at the Speed of Sound” and the IMAX feature film, “Blue Angels.”
Jacques Manset, with whom he grew up playing tennis in Santa Barbara, accompanied Hunt to the Lt. Joe Hunt Military Appreciation Day celebration.
Hunt added, “This day could not be held without the support and leadership of the following people:
US Open Tournament Director, Eric Butorac
Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer, Marissa Grimes
Chief Operating Officer, Craig Tiley
USTA President, Brian Vahaly
“Thank you all for your constant support of this day. I also want to recognize some of the special people, who every year work so hard behind the scenes:
Tony Singley, the tennis pro who organized the military clinic.
Joanne Wallen, USTA Managing Director of National and Global Events
Captain Kevin Wensing
Andrea Snead, USTA DEI Director
along with The New York City Recruiting Office.”
Hunt, an old friend said, “Lt. Joe Hunt Military Appreciation Day is truly gratifying. It is getting more significant each year and is now firmly cemented into the culture of the US Open…”
He thoughtfully concluded, “In closing, it would be meaningful, if before you leave today, you might walk by the Court of Champions list, and see the many greats we all know, some who have served our country. Among them, on the wall of winners, may you find the 1943 champion and reflect on one who, before he could return to defend his title, dutifully gave his life in service to his country.
“The late Secretary of State Henry Kissinger said this while speaking at Senator John McCain’s funeral:
“Heroes inspire us by the matter-of-factness of their sacrifice.”
Which is exactly what Joe Hunt did…
