Lowering of the County Flag: Vincent Hungerford

This is to advise that Commissioner President Reuben B. Collins, II, Esq. ordered the Charles County flag to be lowered to half-staff effective immediately and returned to full-staff at sunset on October 11, 2025 to honor Colonel Vincent Hungerford, Retired Air Force, who died September 10, 2025.

Vincent and his family grew up on the Western side of Charles County, he attended local schools and graduated from Lackey High School. Having grown up on a farm, he learned the value of integrity, sense of purpose and an immense respect for serving his country. It was no surprise after attending John Hopkins University on an academic and athletic scholarship found military service calling and he joined the U.S Airforce. Upon graduation from the Air Force Officers Candidate School, he was stationed in Germany. While in Germany, he was a member of the Military Olympic Soccer Team.

As a fighter pilot, Col. Hungerford flew F-6s, F-104s, and F-105s. He later qualified as a skilled test pilot and retired from Joint Base Andrews as Vice Wing Commander of the DC Air National Guard.

In 1958, Vincent returned to Charles County, married, and received his bachelor's degree in engineering and physics from Georgetown University. Then in 1959, he began his career at Indian Head's Naval Ordnance Station. During his storied tenure at Indian Head, he mentored many young scientists and engineers, helping to pave the way for their development and career growth. Among his many accomplishments was his creations of the Weapons Simulation Department at Indian Head, a department he would later lead. He and his colleagues, A.J. Perk and Jay Thornburg, were known as the three wise men when they were all deputies to the Technical Director.

Concurrent with his career at Indian Head and his continued military service with the DC Air National Guard, Vincent was active with the public schools, first through the Parent Teacher Associations for his children and then in 1972, he was appointed to the Charles County Board Education. Later when the appointed school board became elected, he would go on to serve for many years, seven of which were as chairman of the elected board. When he retired from the school board, he continued his advocacy in support of STEM (Scientific, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education in public schools. He and a long-time colleague started a non-profit, Illuminate the Journey, where they created math and science flash cards for elementary students.

Vincent and his wife were stalwarts not only for Indian Head but also for the entire Western Charles County corridor. Vincent was particularly vigilant in his mentorship and guidance for emerging scientists and engineers and once retired, he continued to advocate for an encouraged education in the (STEM) efforts in Charles County.

Upon his retirement from the Naval Ordnance Station, he led private sector consulting and technical advisory activities. Through his work with the Western Charles County Business Association, he forged partnerships between the base and private sector. He later became one of the founding members of the Charles County Military Alliance (MAC) to advocate for and support of the mission of the Naval Base at Indian Head, in the community and with public leaders. In 2023, Vincent was named Board of Director Emeritus of the MAC.

Vincent's entire career and community service focused on leaving the Indian Head Naval Base, Western Charles County, public schools and his county in a better place, rooted in an intense desire to serve others - leveraging his affable nature, engaging personality, relentless devotion, and knowledge to achieve his mission.

His family invites friends and colleagues to join them for a Celebration of Life on Saturday, October 11, 4-7 pm, at the Indian Head Pavilion, 100 Walter Thomas Road, Indian Head, MD, 20640.