Serving as a sailor in the U.S. Navy, Lieutenant, j.g. William Edward Hall received the Medal of Honor for his actions between May 7 and 8, 1942 in Coral Sea, South Pacific during World War II. At the time he was serving with Scouting Squadron 2, Air Group 2, U.S.S. Lexington. Hall was 28 years old.
2 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on November 22, 1942. San Diego, California, presented by Vice Adm. Ephraim P. Holmes.
Hall was born on October 31, 1913 in Storrs, Carbon County, Utah. His Medal of Honor is credited to Mohrland, Emery County, Utah. Hall died on November 15, 1996 in Kansas City, Kansas, at the age of 83. He is buried at Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
Hall is one of 474 Medal of Honor recipients from World War II and one of 6 credited to Utah.
Official Medal of Honor 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.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Wounds and injuries
What the citation records about his wounds:
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.
- Age at death: 83
- Resting place: Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery
Other decorations and honors
Besides the Medal of Honor, William Edward Hall received:
Source: Wikidata. Gold chips link to our guide to that decoration.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: World War II.
Life beyond the battlefield
- Occupations: naval aviator
- Education: University of Redlands
Source: Wikidata.
Places
Timeline
- October 31, 1913Born in Storrs, Carbon County, Utah
- May 7 - 8, 1942Act of valor — Coral Sea, South PacificAge 28. Scouting Squadron 2, Air Group 2, U.S.S. Lexington
- November 22, 1942Medal of Honor presentedSan Diego, California, presented by Vice Adm. Ephraim P. Holmes
- November 15, 1996Died in Kansas City, KansasAge 83.
- Resting placeFort Leavenworth National CemeteryFort Leavenworth, Kansas
Biography
William Edward Hall (October 31, 1913 – November 15, 1996) was a United States Naval Reserve officer and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions during the Battle of the Coral Sea in World War II.
From the Wikipedia article “William E. Hall”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
