Hunt, Joseph R.
Tennis
b. Feb. 17, 1919, San Francisco, CA
d. Feb. 2, 1945
What might have been a great tennis career was unfortunately cut short by World War II, as Hunt was able to compete in few tournaments while serving in the U. S. Navy. He was killed when his fighter plane crashed into the ocean during training in Florida.
The 6-foot, 165-pound Hunt was one of many tennis players of his era who learned to play on public courts in California. An outstanding volleyer, he won the U. S. boys championship in 1934 and the U. S. junior title in 1937. He also won junior doubles championships from 1935 through 1937 with three different partners.
Hunt spent a year at the University of Southern California and transferred to the U. S. Naval Academy in 1938. He entered the Navy after graduating in 1941. Two years later, Hunt won the national singles title. It was one of only four tournaments he entered while in service.