Gerald Hale joined NSA in 1962. Over a 35-year career, his visionary leadership was critical to the Agency's transformation from a predominantly strategic support organization to one proficient in real-time intelligence support to the war fighter. His legacy within the Intelligence Community can still be seen in today's operations.

At NSA, Mr. Hale created the first all-source database of its kind to process and disseminate data to customers worldwide. It is still in use more than a quarter century after its creation. During crisis situations in the 1980s, he established an innovative approach to arranging international support. Many of the arrangements that resulted from this approach are still in use today.

Mr. Hale was also a superb mentor. He directly influenced the career development of scores of civilian leaders and military officers, many of whom later assumed key positions at NSA/CSS or in the uniformed services.

Mr. Hale was a leader with a unique ability to gain agreement from people and organizations representing substantially different viewpoints and interests. His work during both wartime and peacetime inspired peers and subordinates alike to provide signals intelligence in new ways to support U.S. policy and the war fighter.