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Congressional Medal of Honor Society

Stories of Sacrifice

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World War II - U.S. Navy

William Edward Hall

Details
  • Rank: Lieutenant, j.g.
  • Conflict/Era: World War II
  • Unit/Command:
    Scouting Squadron 2, Air Group 2,
    U.S.S. Lexington
  • Military Service Branch: U.S. Navy
  • Medal of Honor Action Date: May 7 - 8, 1942
  • Medal of Honor Action Place: Coral Sea, South Pacific
Citation

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 and 8 May 1942. In a resolute and determined attack on 7 May, Lt. (j.g.) 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, Lt. (j.g.) Hall, maintaining the fearless and indomitable tactics pursued throughout these actions, succeeded in landing his plane safely.

Medal of Honor Recipient William E. Hall
Medal of Honor Recipient William E. Hall
Additional Details
  • Accredited to: Mohrland, Emery County, Utah
  • Awarded Posthumously: No
  • Presentation Date & Details: November 22, 1942

    San Diego, California, presented by Vice Adm. Ephraim P. Holmes

  • Born: October 31, 1913, Storrs, Carbon County, UT, United States
  • Died: November 15, 1996, Kansas City, KS, United States
  • Buried: Fort Leavenworth Cemetery (MH) (I-O-286), Leavenworth, KS, United States
 

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