Empire Ford photo.

Flag to honor Mattapoisett native Lt. General John “Skip” B. Hall, Jr. Fighter Pilot, Commander of the U.S. Forces in Japan

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During the month of October, the 38th Lights for Peace flag to fly at the Fort Taber – Fort Rodman Military Museum honors the memory of Lt. General John “Skip” B. Hall, Jr., a highly decorated fighter pilot and commander, who served in the United States Air Force for 32 years. During his distinguished career, he flew more than 3700 hours, including 990 combat hours and 435 combat missions during the Vietnam War. Hall was proficient in flying the F-16 Fighting Falcon, F-14 Tomcat and F-4 Phantom II.

John, also known as “Skip,” was born on Aug. 9, 1944 and grew up in Mattapoisett. He was a tremendous athlete, becoming a star basketball player for Fairhaven High School, where he and his teammates earned a trip to the Tech Tourney. Hall was eventually inducted into the Fairhaven High School Sports Hall of Fame in 1995.

Hall graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts in 1967. He joined the United States Air Force in March of that year and began his pilot training at Reese Air Force Base in Texas, earning the rank of 2LT. This would be the beginning of a long and distinguished military career serving both stateside and abroad. Over the years, he became a fighter pilot, served as commander of an F-4 Phantom II unit, during two of his three tours in Vietnam, and went on to serve as commander in numerous companies. His career culminated with the command of the U.S Forces in Japan at the end of his career.


Empire Ford photo.

His son, Adam Hall, recalled that his dad “lived a life of focus, characterized with accomplishments of similar great men, but Dad had no desire to tell others of his greatness. Succeeding at everything, missing nothing, his evolution from child to pilot, leader and patriarch was marked by devotion to every obstacle he faced.” He went on to explain that his father “excelled at everything, feared nothing, and welcomed every obstacle like it didn’t stand a chance. He led a life of service to his country and his family, selflessly saving nothing for himself.”

The beginning of his military career started in 1968. Upon completion of his pilot training, Hall enrolled in the F-4 Combat Training at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona and was promoted to rank of 1LT. From Dec. 1968 to Dec. 1969, Hall served in the 36th Tactical Fighter Win at the Da Nang Air Base in South Vietnam, flying 909 combat hours and 435 combat missions during the Vietnam War.

In July 1970, he was promoted to the rank of Captain and was stationed in Thailand, where he served as an instructor pilot with the 432nd Tactical fighter Reconnaissance Wing. From Oct. 1971 through April 1975, he worked as an instructor pilot and flight examiner with the 35th Tactical Fighter Wing out of George Air Force Base in California. He later served as an operations analyst for three years at Headquarters tactical Air command at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia.

Hall continued his career as flight commander with the 36th Tactical Fighter Wing at the Bitburg Air Base in West Germany from July 1978 through July 1981, followed by a year as a senior research fellow at Rand Corp in California. During this time, he was promoted to the rank of Major on May 2, 1978, and Lt. Col. On June 3, 1981.

The following two years, he served as Chief of the Weapons System Branch, Tactics and Training Division and the Executive Officer for the Deputy Chief of Staff at Headquarters of the U.S. Air Force in Washington, D.C.

After completing training at the National War College in Washington, D.C., Hall was promoted to Colonel and was stationed in Japan from 1985 to 1992 where he served in many roles, eventually becoming the Special Assistant to the Commander, 18th Wing, Kadena Air Base, in Japan. Upon completion of his assignment, he was promoted to rank of Brigadier General on March 1, 1992.

In the two years following, he served as Commander of the 363rd Fighter Wing at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. as well as Commander of the 4404th Composite Wing at Dhahran Air Base in Saudi Arabia. This was followed by two years serving as the Director of Asian and Pacific Affairs in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense at the Pentagon in Washington D.C., during which time he earned the rank of Major General on May 25, 1995.

From June 1996 to June 1997, Hall served as Director of Plans and Programs at the Headquarters Pacific Air Forces on Hickman Air Force Base in Hawaii. On June 26, 1997, Hall was promoted to the rank of. Lt. General and served in a dual role, as Commander of the U.S. Forces in Japan and Commander of the 5th Air Force, Yokota Air Base.

Lt. General Hall retired from the U. S. Air Force in 1999, earning the following medals for his distinguished 32 year military career: The Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Distinguished Flying Cross with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Air Medal with 26 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Aerial Achievement Medal, The Air Force Commendation Medal, The Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with “V” device and 5 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Combat Readiness Medal, the National Defense Service Medal with Service Star, the Southwest Asia Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with 7 Service Stars, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

John B. Hall, Jr. passed away on November 16, 2020, at the age of 76. He was the son of the late John B. Hall, Sr. and Edna May (Graham) Hall. He is survived by his wife Jill and their three children Heather Rodriquez of Cape Coral, FL., Susan McNew, and her husband Kevin of Bozeman, MT and his son Adam Hall and his wife Heather of Centrevile, VA; as well as seven grandchildren: Ashley, Sophia, Benjamin, Haven, Kane, Gracie and Ellis; and his sister Susan Haynes and her husband David of Yarmouth, ME.

“Remembering a Mattapoisett Hero,” was published in the Wanderer on November 12, 2021, summarizing the eulogy of John “Skip” B. Hall, Jr. His son, Adam recalled “there was a better chance you’d know he was a Red Sox fan before you’d ever know he was a Lt. General. He might go on and on about his grandchildren, but he’d never mention the multiple U.S. Presidents he hosted in his home.”

Adam recalled asking his father about the wooden plate on his dad’s desk inscribed with the words The War Starts Today. When Adam asked his father what he meant, he said “It’s a reminder to always be prepared, focused and meticulous, because always being ready for war is better than figuring out how to fight it when war comes to you.”

Linda Ferreira, of Empire Ford of New Bedford, researches the life histories of area residents. American flags are provided by Empire Ford of New Bedford. Flags are raised by the staff at Fort Taber – Fort Rodman Military Museum. Those who would like to honor a local veteran in the future can contact Ferreira at lferreira@buyempireautogroup.com.

About Michael Silvia

Served 20 years in the United States Air Force. Owner of New Bedford Guide.

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