Vice Admiral Harley Hannibal Christy (18 September 1870 – 4 June 1950) served in the United States Navy during the Spanish–American War and World War I.
Biography
Christy was born in Circleville, Ohio and raised in Ashville, Ohio. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1891.
Early career
In April 1898, at the start of the Spanish–American War, Christy was serving as an ensign aboard the cruiser when she captured the ocean liner Catalina off Havana. The 1,000-ton ship was carrying a general cargo from New Orleans to Barcelona, and was valued at $600,000. A prize crew, commanded by Christy, of sixteen men from Detroit and , took the vessel to Key West.
Christy was in command of two small gunboats during 1902, and was the Executive Officer of the armored cruiser in 1910.
Christy was promoted from lieutenant commander to commander on 3 July 1911,
Post-war
Christy retired from active duty in October 1934, and in January 1950 was advanced to the rank of vice admiral on the Retired List in honor of his combat awards.