Ryan Preston Hall

Captain Ryan Preston Hall
United States Air Force
December 10, 1981 February 18, 2012

Ryan Preston Hall, age 30, passed away February 18, 2012 as the result of an airplane crash in Djibouti on the Horn of Africa. The single-engine U-28 aircraft in which he was flying went down returning from an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance mission in support of the war in Afghanistan and Operation Enduring Freedom.

Ryan was born December 10, 1981 to Dennis and Kliffa (Nunn) Hall in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He grew up in Colorado Springs and graduated from Pine Creek High School in 2000.

He entered the Air Force in 2004 receiving his commission through the Reserve Officer Training Corp at The Citadel, the Military School of South Carolina, graduating magna cum laude. As a cadet, Ryan was a squad leader, platoon sergeant and active with the Lutheran campus ministry. During his senior year, he was the Delta Company executive officer, the number two ranking cadet in the company and a member of the elite Summerall Guards silent drill team.

Ryan was assigned to the 319th Special Operations Squadron at Hurlburt Field, Florida since 2007. He had more than 1,400 combat flight hours, over 200 combat missions, and had been deployed overseas seven times.

He loved the outdoors and enjoyed hunting, fishing, and playing golf. He also loved to travel with his beloved girlfriend, Marianne “Mae” Vicente, and was the life of the party.

Ryan is survived by his parents, Dennis and Kliffa; two brothers, Brandon Hall (Karin) and Damon Hall; and his grandmothers, Jean Hall and Nayda Nunn. Uncle Ryan was the beloved uncle to Erika, Natalie, Izabelleh, Evan, and Noah.

Funeral services in Captain Hall’s honor will be held at the United States Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, March 12, 2012 following his return to Colorado Springs on Friday, March 9, 2012 with a private, Dignified Arrival Ceremony at Peterson Air Force Base. Interment at the Air Force Academy Cemetery will follow the chapel funeral. A reception will be held at Doolittle Hall at the Air Force Academy for family to greet guests following the interment.

Ryan had a passion for life that affected all who knew him. He was a born leader, revered and respected by his fellow officers. He wanted to make a difference, and he did. Millions of Americans are safer today as a result of his service. Many in today’s world might ask why a young man with Ryan’s talent and ambition would embark on a life of service. The answer is simple. Ryan gave his life out of love. He loved his Lord, he loved his family, and he loved his country. America has lost one of its best and brightest…we miss him so.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Ryan’s memory to Lutheran World Relief (www.lwr.org, and online donations and checks mailed in should be marked with Ryan Hall’s name in the subject or memo line) or USO Families of the Fallen, 116 Purple Heart Drive, Dover Air Force Base, Delaware 19902.

Ryan will be missed by his family, friends, and military comrades who dearly loved him and will always cherish his memory.