Jay Sterner Hammond (21 July 1922 – 2 August 2005) was the fourth governor of Alaska, serving from 2 December 1974 to 6 December 1982. A former Marine fighter pilot and bush pilot, he oversaw the creation of the Alaska Permanent Fund.[1]
| Born | 21 Jul 1922, Troy, New York |
|---|---|
| Died | 2 Aug 2005, Lake Clark |
| Governor | 1974–1982 |
| Legislature | House 1959–65; Senate 1967–73 |
Early life
Hammond served as a U.S. Marine Corps fighter pilot from 1942 to 1946, including with the Black Sheep Squadron in World War II. In 1946 he moved to Alaska and worked as a bush pilot, later earning a degree in biological sciences at the University of Alaska.[1]
Public service
He served in the Alaska House of Representatives from 1959 to 1965 and the Alaska Senate from 1967 to 1973, the last two years as Senate President. He was elected governor in 1974 and re-elected in 1978, and the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System was built during his tenure.[1]
Permanent Fund
Hammond oversaw creation of the Alaska Permanent Fund, whose constitutional amendment Alaska voters approved in 1976. Since the early 1980s it has paid annual dividends to Alaska residents.[1]
Later life
He wrote newspaper articles, hosted the television series Jay Hammond’s Alaska from 1985 to 1992 and wrote three autobiographies. He died at age 83 at his homestead on Lake Clark.[1]
FAQs
When was Hammond governor? 1974 to 1982.
What fund did he oversee? The Alaska Permanent Fund.
What was his earlier career? Marine pilot and bush pilot.
Sources
Key facts
- Fourth governor
- Permanent Fund 1976
- Bush pilot
Quick checkGovernor years?Show answer
1974–1982.
Sources
- Wikipedia. Jay Hammond. 2026 (accessed 2026-11-12)
Editorially reviewed by Specialty Digest Editorial TeamLast reviewed November 12, 2026Researched and drafted with AI assistanceReport an issue