Air Force photographer receives exceptional civilian award

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Julie Weckerlein
  • Air Force News Service
WASHINGTON (AFPN) --  A civilian Air Force photographer was presented an Exceptional Civilian Service award by the Secretary of the Air Force here April 17.

For 50 years, Ron Hall has documented Air Force history using still photography.

“He’s made more than 18 secretaries of the Air Force and 16 chiefs of staff look a lot younger than they really were,” joked current Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne.

He praised Mr. Hall not only for his expertise, but for his commitment to the Air Force.

“Regardless of the task -- a simple promotion ceremony, a diplomatically sensitive foreign visit or a Corona conference -- Mr. Hall responded flawlessly to incorporate the appropriate touch for the occasion,” Secretary Wynne said.

Mr. Hall said working with such a variety of top leaders in the Pentagon has left him with a lot of good memories.

“I was given the task to select some of my favorite photos from over the years for a possible exhibit,” he said. “It’s taking some time, because the memories keep getting in the way.”

His passion for photography began at the age of 13, and only grew when he enlisted in the Navy after high school, which at the time offered the best photography school. After his service in uniform, he found himself in Washington, working for the Air Force.

He recounted four trips to China with Air Force leaders, most taken at a time when relations with the country were shaky, at best. He attended more than 100 Corona conferences and air shows around the world.

“I remember taking photos as then-President Clinton pinned four stars on Ben Davis, who was a Tuskegee Airman. That was quite a moment,” he said.

Efforts are being made for Mr. Hall’s work to be displayed at the The National Museum of the Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.