Presentation Venue: The Hal Gershanoff Silver Medal is presented at the AOC Annual Symposium and Convention Banquet. An alternative presentation venue is authorized based on the preference and availability of the recipient.

Background: The AOC Silver Medal is named in honor of Hal Gershanoff.

In 1978, Hal Gershanoff (1935-2008) took over as editor and publisher of the struggling AOC publication, the Journal of Electronic Defense (JED), launched by the AOC in 1977. At the time, AOC was a small, 5,000-member organization that needed a voice. The JED, through Hal’s leadership, became that voice.

Hal built JED into a leading defense publication. He understood instinctively the importance of building relationships within the EW industry and within the larger EW community. Those relationships not only helped to grow JED, but also helped the AOC reach government and industry leaders. During Hal’s tenure the AOC grew into a much larger organization. After retiring as editor and publisher of JED, Hal continued to make important contributions to the AOC as a member of its Board of Directors. While serving in that capacity, he helped reinvigorate JED and ensured the magazine’s successful transition to a new publisher. His guidance and advice during, and after, this transition contributed significantly to the magazine’s continued success.