Recently, 1st Lt. Donald Bret Hale, Jr. was awarded The Air Force Commend-ation Medal for Meritorious Service for the period of 16 February 2013 3 October 2016 at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.

Lt. Hale distinguished himself as Flight Test Engineer and Electronic Warfare Project Manager, 28th Test and Evaluation Squadron, 53rd Test Management Group, 53rd Wing, Eglin AFB, Florida. The distinctive accomplishments of Lt Hale reflect credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

Lt Hale was a former graduate of Jefferson High School and Shepherd University. His parents are Bret and Laura Hale of Harpers Ferry; grandparents are Donald and Dorrene Hale of Harpers Ferry, Laura Wanger of Shepherdstown and the late William Wanger of Maine.

Lt. Hale was recently assigned to the National Air and Space Intelligence Center at Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio. He resides there with his wife, Chi, and two children, Gemma and Everett.