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Photo #   NH 106210-A:  Lieutenant Commander William E. Hall, USNR

Online Library of Selected Images:
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Lieutenant Commander William E. Hall, USNR, (1913-1996)

William Edward Hall was born on 31 October 1913 in Storrs, Utah. Graduating from University of Redlands, in California, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy Reserve from his native state in May 1938. After flight training at Naval Reserve Aviation Base, Long Beach, California and at Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida, in September 1939 he was designated a Naval Aviator and commissioned in the rank of Ensign. He then reported to Scouting Squadron Five (VS-5) on board USS Yorktown, his assignment until February 1942. In early February 1942, soon after the United States entered World War II, he took part in raids on Japanese bases in the Marshall and Gilbert Islands. Later in that month he transferred to USS Enterprise and, in April, was sent to Scouting Squadron Two (VS-2), operating from USS Lexington.

On 7 and 8 May 1942, Lieutenant Junior Grade Hall and his squadron participated in the Battle of the Coral Sea. His dive bombing skill contributed to the destruction of the Japanese aircraft carrier Shoho on the Seventh. The following day, as U.S. and Japanese carriers exchanged attacks, he aggressively engaged superior numbers of enemy planes, resulting in the shooting down of three. Despite serious wounds, he brought his SBD "Dauntless" scout-bomber safely back aboard his ship. For his "extreme courage and conspicuous heroism" on these occasions, Hall was awarded the Medal of Honor.

During most of the rest of 1942, Hall recovered from his injuries at the Naval Hospital, San Diego, California, receiving promotion to Lieutenant during this time. Early in 1943 he began duty as an instructor at the Naval Air Station, Daytona Beach, Florida. Achieving the rank of Lieutenant Commander in March 1944, he served for a few months at Naval Air Station, Miami, Florida, then transferred for staff duty at Naval Air Station, Seattle, Washington. Hall also briefly served with the Night Attack Combat Training Unit, Pacific, during the War's final months. For his last duty station, he was ordered for staff duty with Commander Fleet Air, Western Pacific in September 1946, from which he was released from active duty a month later. William E. Hall remained in the Naval Reserve for nearly another decade and a half, retiring in November 1960. He died on 15 November 1996 and is buried at Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

This page features all the images we have concerning William E. Hall.


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

Photo #: NH 106209

Lieutenant Junior Grade William E. Hall, USNR


Who was awarded the Medal of Honor for "extreme courage and conspicuous heroism" while serving as a pilot with Scouting Squadron TWO, flying from USS Lexington (CV-2) during the Battle of the Coral Sea, 7-8 May 1942.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the Naval History and Heritage Command.

Online Image: 67KB; 580 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 106210-A

Lieutenant Commander William E. Hall, USNR


Photographed circa 1944-1945.
Lieutenant (Junior Grade) William E. Hall was awarded the Medal of Honor for "extreme courage and conspicuous heroism" while serving as a Pilot of a Scouting Plane in action against Japanese forces in the Battle of the Coral Sea, 7 and 8 May 1942. Contributing to the destruction of the Japanese aircraft carrier Shoho on 7 May, he waged counterattacks the next day on a superior number of enemy planes, shooting down three enemy aircraft. Although Hall was seriously wounded during this mission, he remained in flight and safely landed his plane.
He was then serving with Scouting Squadron TWO, based on board USS Lexington (CV-2).

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center.

Online Image: 50KB; 580 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 106210

Lieutenant Commander William E. Hall, USNR


Halftone reproduction of a photograph taken circa 1944-1945, copied from the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 197.
William E. Hall was awarded the Medal of Honor for "extreme courage and conspicuous heroism" while serving as a Pilot with Scouting Squadron Two, flying from USS Lexington (CV-2) during the Battle of the Coral Sea, 7-8 May 1942.
This image is a cropped version of that seen in Photo #: NH 106210-A.

U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

Online Image: 80KB; 625 x 765 pixels

 



Medal of Honor citation of Lieutenant Junior Grade William E. Hall, USNR (as printed in the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 197):

"For extreme courage and conspicuous heroism in combat above and beyond the call of duty as Pilot of a Scouting Plane in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Coral Sea on 7 May and 8 May 1942. In a resolute and determined attack on 7 May, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Hall dived his plane at an enemy Japanese aircraft carrier, contributing materially to the destruction of that vessel. On 8 May, facing heavy and fierce fighter opposition, he again displayed extraordinary skill as an airman and the aggressive spirit of a fighter in repeated and effectively executed counterattacks against a superior number of enemy planes in which three enemy aircraft were destroyed. Though seriously wounded in this engagement, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Hall, maintaining the fearless and indomitable tactics pursued throughout these actions, succeeded in landing his plane safe(ly)."

Note: Though the quoted source uses "safe" as the citation's final word, other sources give the word as "safely".


NOTES:

  • To the best of our knowledge, the pictures referenced here are all in the Public Domain, and can therefore be freely downloaded and used for any purpose.

  • Some images linked from this page may bear obsolete credit lines citing the organization name: "Naval Historical Center". Effective 1 December 2008 the name should be cited as: "Naval History and Heritage Command".


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


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    Page made 3 November 2008
    Edited and reposted 14 October 2009