Eric G. Hall

Air Vice Marshal Eric Gordon Hall psa SJ SPk (Urdu: ایرک گورڈن ہال; 12 October 1922 — 17 June 1998) known as The Heavy Hitter for his role in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 was a two-star rank officer of the Pakistan Air Force and fighter-bomber pilot hailing from the Christian minority in Pakistan. He played a pivotal role in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 and Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. He retired as the Commandant of PAF Staff College on 30 June 1975. Following retirement, Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto appointed him as the Director General Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority, a role he held until 6 March 1978. Afterwards, Hall ventured into import-export businesses in Karachi for a year and relocated to the United States where he opened Hall Enterprises in August 1982, with his wife, Marjorie. The business imported-exported Pakistani furniture, giftware, and military spare parts. Hall was seen as a prominent figure on the scene which traded heavily on his name and contacts.

Notably, during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, Hall pioneered the innovative concept of converting C-130 Hercules transport aircraft into heavy bombers, enhancing their capacity to carry 13,000 kg (28,000 lb) of explosives with specific modifications. On 11 September 1965, Hall volunteered to lead the initial bombing mission over a strategically vital bridge in Kathua which was used to deliver supplies to the Indian Army. Despite the transport-turned-bomber being unarmoured and vulnerable to Indian anti-aircraft guns, the mission succeeded. This success resulted in the Pakistani military leadership to authorize 13 additional strategic bombing runs using the converted C-130s, including precision strikes on Indian weaponry at Attari along the BRB Canal. The effectiveness of these missions solidified Hall's innovative concept, earning him the Sitara-e-Jurat in 1965.