Hill presents 2008 Wingman Awards

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Brok McCarthy
  • 75th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
LAYTON, Utah --  Retired Gen. Ronald Fogleman, former Air Force chief of staff, and Maj. Gen. Kathleen Close, Ogden Air Logistics Center commander, presented three individuals with Wingman Awards during the Hill Air Force Ball, Sept. 19.

Hal "Doc" Marsell, Jack Price and Mike Hendry each received the award for their support of the base and the individuals assigned here.

"We established the Hill AFB Community Wingman Award in 2007," said General Close. "This is our second year to recognize key community members who have selflessly supported Hill Air Force Base and our 24,000 personnel who work at the base and ensure total warfighter support.

"Base leaders selected recipients whose actions have resulted in positive change for Hill Air Force Base. Our honorees have demonstrated a selflessness, great dedication and commitment to the Air Force mission and the members of Team Hill. We are proud to recognize their contributions and say 'thank you" for their untiring support."

Along with the medals, each recipient has been remembered with a permanent display, which features the recipient's likeness, as well as a description of what they have done to support the base.

-- Mr. Mike Hendry

"Mr. Mike Hendry is a former 388th Fighter Wing honorary commander and current falcon. He has been a staunch supporter of the military assigned to Hill Air Force Base, especially the junior enlisted personnel who live in the dormitories. For many years, he has sacrificed his own personal time and money to help improve the quality of life for Hill Air Force Base Airmen by financing improvements at the junior enlisted center.

"His donations facilitated upgrades at the enlisted center that provided Airmen with many of the amenities they would find at home, such as large screen TVs, game consoles, and television sports packages. Since 2005, he has provided home-made thanksgiving meals at the center for airmen who couldn't make it home for the holiday to be with their families. At Christmas time, Mr. Hendry volunteered his time and money as a substitute Santa, helping several enlisted airmen and their families during the holiday season.

"Mr. Hendry's phenomenal support is provided in a quiet, humble and unassuming manner. He constantly exemplifies the greatest traditions of selfless dedication, generosity, and patriotism one would expect from a great wingman."

-- Dr. Hal "Doc" Marsell

Dr. Marsell is an avid supporter for Hill Air Force Base and has been for more than 60 years. He was one of the founding members of the top of Utah Military Affairs Committee and has served on Layton's city council for many years. Dr. Marsell is a World War II veteran.
As a founding member of the top of Utah Military Affairs Committee, he spent hundreds of hours of his personal time and resources contacting businesses in Davis and Weber counties explaining the value of Hill Air Force Base to the community and why it should be supported.

He has also been a tremendous asset in helping the general public gain a thorough understanding of the Ogden Air Logistics Center and its various missions by helping arrange informational tours of the base, the Utah Test and Training Range, and other vital mission areas owned by the installation.

Dr Marsell is a tireless supporter of Hill Air Force Base and a true Wingman to everyone assigned. His willingness to take on any task shows he's embraced the Air Force's core values, even before the Air Force adopted him.

-- Mr. Jack Price

Mr. Price is a strong advocate of both the Air Force and Hill Air Force Base.
He served six years in the air force and returned to Hill Air Force Base as deputy director of distribution, concluding a distinguished 41 years of civil service.

His commitment to service in several important positions within the Air Force Association, which included president at the local, regional, and national level, as well being the Air Force Association's chairman of the board, is highly commendable.

Additionally, he has been an active member of the Hill Aerospace Heritage Foundation board of trustees and has served in officer positions on the board. He has been instrumental in raising funds for the foundation in support of the Hill Aerospace Museum and is personally responsible for the design and construction of many of the exhibits and displays in the museum.

Everything Mr. Price has done, and continues to do, for the Air Force and Hill AFB are perfect examples of what it means to live the Air Force's Core Values and is proof of his commitment to all our military and civilian Airmen.

These three displays will join the seven displays of the 2007 Wingman Award recipients that are on display at the Hill Aerospace Museum.