Hartinger was drafted into the United States Army in July 1943 and attained the grade of sergeant while serving in the infantry.

Following World War II he entered West Point and, upon graduation in 1949, was commissioned a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force.

He then was assigned as a jet fighter pilot with the 36th Fighter-Bomber Wing at Fürstenfeldbruck Air Base, Germany.

Returning to Williams Air Force Base in July 1953, Hartinger served as a gunnery instructor with the 3526th Pilot Training Squadron.

In 1968, Hartinger was the F-111 test director at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, and then took command of the famed "Flying Tigers," the 23rd Tactical Fighter Wing, flying F-105 Thunderchiefs at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas.

[2] The National Defense Industrial Association named the Hartinger Medal after him, which is presented annually to an individual who made a significant contribution to the military space mission of the United States.