CDR George E. Hurley, USN (Ret.)

ENS Hurly became a Naval Aviator on December 5, 1966 at HT-8, NAS Ellyson Field, Pensacola, Florida.  ENS Hurley was Navy Helicopter Pilot Designation Number R-8716.

George became NHA’s Legal Adviser and attorney in 2017 and remained so up till his passing in 2024.

The Helicopter Community has lost an outstanding man, great golfer and good human. His accomplishments are numerous, but his humanity and genuine friendship live on.

 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. While there he coached a Youth Hockey Team.

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 the 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 the University of San Diego law School he joined a local law firm and subsequently open-end his own practice. 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.

George Hurley passed away on July 4, 2024. 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.

It is with great sadness that I report that George Hurley passed away on July 4th. There is no doubt that everyone will miss his sense of humor, personal demeanor, he was just plain nice guy to everyone. A farewell is scheduled on July 27, 2024 at noon. Location is the Corpus Christi Church on Corral Canyon Rd. Reception is at the Church. George will be missed but we all have great memories of him. Gene