State Senator Shelley Mayer and First Lieutenant Joseph Hunt
Senator Shelley Mayer is honored to announce Bronze Star Awardee First Lieutenant Joseph Hunt as her nominee for the 2026 New York State Senate Veterans Hall of Fame. First Lt. Hunt was honored during a ceremony in Albany on Tuesday, May 26.
First Lt. Hunt began his military service in 1966 as an enlisted Soldier in the United States Army. At just 18 years old, First Lt. Hunt was stationed in Heidelberg Germany. In 1967, he was selected for the Armor Officers Candidate School, where he was commissioned as a First Lieutenant.
In 1968, First Lt. Hunt was selected for training at the Special Warfare School at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where officers and specialized personnel were prepared in cultural competence, language, and counterinsurgency operations in support of the Vietnam War.
First Lt. Hunt was subsequently assigned as an Infantry Advisor on a seven-man Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV) team, working directly with Vietnamese Regional Forces in the Mekong Delta. During his service in Vietnam, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal (First Class), along with campaign ribbons recognizing his service. After a year of deployment, he returned to the United States and continued his education, pursuing his college degree.
After college, First Lt. Hunt built a distinguished 30+ year career in marketing, advertising, and strategic communications, serving as a principal at two successful agencies. First Lt. Hunt has remained committed to service and has held key roles in the veteran community, including: Director of the Veterans Mental Health Coalition of New York City, Director of the New York Outdoor Rx Coalition, Senior Advisor at the Project for Return and Opportunity in Veterans Education (PROVE), Co-Coordinator and mentor in the Westchester Veterans Treatment Court, and Veterans Outreach Specialist for Guardian Revival.
First Lt. Hunt, through his tireless work, has been instrumental in strengthening the veteran community, promoting the well-being of service members, veterans, and their families, and improving access to critical veterans’ resources. He is also a member of Senator Mayer’s Veterans Advisory Council.
Senator Shelley Mayer said, “I am profoundly honored to induct Bronze Star Awardee, First Lieutenant Joseph Hunt into the New York State Senate 2026 Veterans Hall of Fame. First Lt. Hunt has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to serving both our nation and our community, and his dedication has made a meaningful difference in the lives of veterans as they return home and transition from military service. Through his leadership, compassion, and tireless advocacy, he has strengthened support for those who have sacrificed so much on behalf of our country. I am proud to recognize First Lt. Hunt with this well-deserved honor, and I thank him for his extraordinary service.”
The New York State Veterans Hall of Fame was created to recognize and honor distinguished veterans from across New York State for their military service and ongoing dedication to their communities. Each year, one veteran from every Senate district is nominated to the Hall of Fame and celebrated for their extraordinary commitment to country and community.
First Lieutenant Hunt was joined for the ceremony by his wife, Ellen Hunt.
Photos Courtesy of New York State Senate Photography