Editing Benjamin Thurman Hacker (section)

==Naval service==
After completing the [[United States Navy|Navy's]] Aviation Officer Candidate School in [[Pensacola, Florida]], in September 1958, Hacker was commissioned Ensign and subsequently received the designation of [[Naval Flight Officer|Naval Aviation Observer]] (NAO). Hacker gained experience as a Navigator and Tactical Coordinator in [[P-2 Neptune|SP-2H "Neptune"]] and [[P-3 Orion|P-3C "Orion"]] aircraft through numerous operational assignments in the far reaches of the Atlantic<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://pub10.bravenet.com/photocenter/album.php?img=49141&usernum=774301397|title = Photo Library and Upload Center, 1966 Lt. Hacker}}</ref> and Pacific Oceans and Mediterranean Sea.

He took command of the [[United States Naval Facility, Barbados]], [[West Indies]] on July 2, 1968.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hTgDAAAAMBAJ&dq=Benjamin+hacker&pg=PA6|title = Jet, Oct 17, 1968 v.35, no.2, p6| date=17 October 1968 | publisher=Johnson Publishing Company }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://pub10.bravenet.com/photocenter/album.php?img=8686&usernum=774301397|title = Photo Library and Upload Center}}</ref> In 1972, he established the [[Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps|Naval ROTC]] Unit at [[Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University|Florida A & M University]], in [[Tallahassee, Florida]], and served as the first [[Commanding officer|Commanding Officer]] and Professor of Naval Science of this unit. In 1974 he became Commanding Officer of [[VP-24|Patrol Squadron 24 (VP-24)]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=B1sDAAAAMBAJ&dq=Benjamin+hacker&pg=PA50|title = Jet, Dec 12, 1974 v.47, no.12, p50| date=12 December 1974 | publisher=Johnson Publishing Company }}</ref> a P-3C ''Orion'' Squadron stationed in [[Jacksonville, Florida]], and was promoted to [[Captain (naval)|captain]] following his squadron command tour.

In June 1978, he completed studies in National Security Policy at the [[Industrial College of the Armed Forces]], and earned a Masters of Science Degree in Administration from [[George Washington University]] in Washington, D.C. In August 1978, he was assigned as Commanding Officer, [[Naval Air Station Brunswick|Naval Air Station]], [[Brunswick, Maine]].

<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:SITS Hacker-mod.jpg|left|thumb|"Skipper in the Spotlight" by: Mario Demarco]] -->
In 1980, then-Captain Hacker was selected for promotion to [[rear admiral]] and assumed duties as Commander, U.S. Military Enlistment Processing Command with headquarters in [[Fort Sheridan, Illinois|Fort Sheridan]], Illinois. In 1982, he became Commander Fleet Air Mediterranean; Commander Maritime Surveillance and Reconnaissance Forces, U.S. [[United States Sixth Fleet|Sixth Fleet]]; and Commander Maritime Air Forces Mediterranean<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8dgDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA74|title = Ebony, February 1983, p74-78| date=February 1983 | publisher=Johnson Publishing Company }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_7YDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA46|title = Jet, Sep 6, 1982 - v.62, no.26, p46| date=6 September 1982 | publisher=Johnson Publishing Company }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=giy81axAIT8C&dq=Benjamin+T+Hacker&pg=PA179|title = Ebony, August 1983, p179-180| date=August 1983 | publisher=Johnson Publishing Company }}</ref> simultaneously with headquarters in [[Naples|Naples, Italy]]. In 1986, he was assigned as Commander, Naval Training Center, [[San Diego, California|San Diego]]. During this assignment he was also assigned Commander, Naval Base San Diego. He held both commands simultaneously for several months. In 1988, at the completion of his assignment as Commander, Naval Base San Diego, Rear Admiral Hacker retired from the U.S. Navy.

Rear Admiral Hacker was the first Naval Flight Officer (NFO) to be selected for Flag rank in the United States Navy. He held ten commands over the course of his 30-year military career. Included among Rear Admiral Hacker's personal decorations are the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit with three Gold Stars, and the Meritorious Service Medal.

On November 3, 2005, the "Commander, Task Force 67"<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.cnic.navy.mil/Regions/cnreurafswa/installations/nas_sigonella/about/tenant_commands/commander_task_force_67/ | title=Commander, Navy Installations Command > Regions }}</ref> headquarters building located in [[Naval Air Station Sigonella|Sigonella, Sicily]] was dedicated in his honor.