James Hartinger

An all-star football, baseball, and basketball player at Middleport High School in Ohio, Hartinger had never seen a lacrosse game until attending the U.S. Military Academy in 1945. He picked up his first lacrosse stick as a plebe, and by his sophomore year in 1947, was playing varsity lacrosse as a center midfielder for Army.

That same year, he played in the North/South Collegiate All-Star game. The underdog North team beat the South, 15-3, featured by Hartinger's four goals and four assists. Selected as a first team All-American in 1947, 1948 and 1949, Hartinger's tremendous desire, physical ability and leadership qualities earned him the honor of co-captain of the 1949 Army team. 

A general in the United States Air Force, Hartinger was a command pilot with more than 5,000 flying hours. He was honored with more than 20 decorations and service awards since his Air Force career began in 1949. He was the first commander of Air Force Space Command. He was the only person in the Air Force to be promoted from a private to a sergeant to a 4-star general. Jim Hartinger passed away in 2000.