Hardy Roberts Stennis

Colonel Stennis grew up in Macon, MS and finished high school there in 1952. He majored in English and minored in history at the University of Mississippi where he earned his B.A. degree and his Juris Doctorate Degree in Law.

He began his twenty-four-year career in the Marine Corps by completing the NavCad program, receiving his wings and commission in July 1956. At various times he was stationed at Marine Squadrons at El Toro Airbase, California; Iwakuni, Japan; Cherry Point, North Carolina; Beaufort, South Carolina; Da Nang and Chu Lai Airbase, Vietnam, Millington, Tennessee and twice at NAS Meridian, MS where he retired in 1978.

He completed tours in fighter and attack jets both as a pilot and as an instructor. He also logged hours in helicopters and multi-engine aircraft. His combat service in Vietnam included two tours where he logged 230 missions, flying close air support in the A-4 Skyhawk. Honors include: Navy Commendation Medal with combat "V", thirteen air medals, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, National Defense Medal with bronze star, Navy Unit Citation,  Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm and Vietnam  Campaign medal.

After retiring from the Marine Corps, Col. Stennis reopened his father's law office in  Macon, MS where he practiced general law until 1997. He served Noxubee County as Prosecuting Attorney for four years. He has served as Noxubee County's Youth Court Judge and served on the advisory committee to the Mississippi Judicial College for three years. He served as City Judge of Scooba, Mississippi and Dekalb, Mississippi.

He was a former Chairman of the Board for the Harold Gibson Memorial Library, Macon; former Director of the Noxubee County Chamber of Commerce; a member of the Noxubee County Historical Society, and the First United Methodist Church of Macon.

Hardy was preceded in death by his parents Jesse Patty Stennis, Macon, Mable Roberts Stennis, Macon and sister, Betty Stennis McKay of Macon.

Col. Stennis is survived by his wife, Martha Evans Stennis, Marion, MS; a stepson Ethan Bond, Meridian, MS, a stepdaughter, Amanda Bond Stokes, Thibodaux, LA; a sister, Mary Loudoun Stennis Terry, Birmingham, AL; six step grandchildren; brother-     in-law, J. Bryon Evans, Quitman, MS., numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.