Return to Naval Historical Center home page. Return to Online Library listing

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

Photo # 80-G-59419:  Rear Admiral John L. Hall, Jr., during the Normandy invasion, June 1944

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- PEOPLE -- UNITED STATES --

Admiral John L. Hall, Jr., USN (Retired), (1891-1978)

John Lesslie Hall, Jr., was born in Williamsburg, Virginia, on 11 April 1891. He entered the U.S. Naval Academy in 1909, excelled in athletics, and graduated in June 1913. As a junior officer he served in several ships, among them the battleships North Dakota and Utah. During World War I Lieutenant Hall trained engineering personnel on the old battleship Illinois and was an engineer officer on the new destroyer Philip. During the years immediately following World War I, he had sea duty, mainly in destroyers, and served ashore as a Naval Academy instructor.

From the mid-1920s until 1934, Lieutenant Commander Hall was an Aide to the Naval District commandant at Charleston, South Carolina, was Executive Officer of the submarine tender Camden, commanded the destroyer Childs, spent three years with the Naval Academy's physical training and athletics programs, and was Navigator of the training ship Wyoming. Promoted to Commander in 1934, he went to the Far East to serve in the heavy cruiser Augusta and, while with the Asiatic Fleet, commanded the gunboat Asheville and a destroyer division. During the later 1930s Commander Hall was at the Naval War College, initially as a student, then as a member of that institution's staff. In July 1940 he achieved the rank of Captain and was given command of the old battleship Arkansas. This was followed by staff duty with elements of the Atlantic Fleet.

In mid-1942 John L. Hall was given a temporary appointment as Rear Admiral and during the invasion of Morocco that fall was Chief of Staff to the operation's Naval commander. This was followed by command of the Naval forces and facilities in that region. Holding amphibious force commands from February 1943 onwards, Rear Admiral Hall was in charge of important components of the invasions of Sicily in July of that year and of the Italian mainland in September. He was sent to England in November to participate in preparations for the invasion of France and, in the June 1944 Normandy landings, commanded the amphibious assault on "Omaha" Beach. Transferred to the Pacific Fleet's Amphibious Forces in October, Hall participated in the invasion of Okinawa in the spring of 1945.

In October 1945 he became Commander Amphibious Forces, Pacific Fleet, receiving the rank of Vice Admiral a few months later. Following service as Commandant, Fourteenth Naval District, and Commander Hawaiian Sea Frontier, in 1948 he became Commandant of the Armed Forces Staff College. Vice Admiral Hall's final assignment was as Commander Western Sea Frontier and Commander Pacific Reserve Fleet from August 1951 until his retirement at the beginning of May 1953. Upon leaving active duty, he was advanced to the rank of Admiral on the basis of a combat award. John L. Hall, Jr., died at Scottsdale, Arizona, on 6 March 1978.

The guided missile frigate USS John L. Hall (FFG-32), commissioned in 1982, is named in honor of Admiral Hall.

This page features portraits of Admiral John L. Hall, Jr. and informal views of his activities prior to 1944, and provides links to later informal photographs.

For additional images concerning John L. Hall, Jr., see:

  • Admiral John L. Hall, Jr., USN -- Activities in 1944 and Later


    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 94034-KN (Color)

    Admiral John Lesslie Hall, Jr., USN (Retired)

    Portrait in oils on canvas, by Gebing.

    Courtesy of Dr. Susan Godson, 1982.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 87KB; 590 x 765 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 94035-KN (Color)

    Admiral John Lesslie Hall, Jr., USN (Retired)

    Portrait in pastels, by Gebing.

    Courtesy of Dr. Susan Godson, 1982.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 69KB; 590 x 765 pixels

     
    Photo #: 80-G-59419

    Rear Admiral John L. Hall, Jr., USN
    (left),
    Commander Task Force 124, the "Omaha" Beach Assault Force

    On board USS Ancon (AGC-4) during the Normandy invasion, June 1944.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

    Online Image: 73KB; 595 x 765 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     
    Photo #: 80-G-302404

    Rear Admiral John L. Hall, Jr., USN


    Portrait photograph, taken circa 1942-1945.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

    Online Image: 53KB; 600 x 765 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     
    Photo #: NH 94540

    Commander John L. Hall, USN
    (left),
    incoming Commander Destroyer Division 15, and
    Commander Paulus P. Powell, USN,
    outgoing Commander Destroyer Division 15

    On board the Division flagship, USS Peary (DD-226), in Chinese waters, at the time of the DesDiv15 change of command, June 1936.
    The small brass plaque between them identifies the location on the ship as "Frame No. 40".
    Photographed by the Bann Studio.

    Collection of Rear Admiral Paulus P. Powell, USN.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 58KB; 460 x 765 pixels

     
    Photo #: 80-G-30400

    North African Campaign
    , November 1942

    Rear Admiral Henry K. Hewitt, USN (left, wearing binoculars) and Rear Admiral John L. Hall, USN watch the North Africa invasion convoy steam toward its destination, circa early November 1942. Photographed on board USS Augusta (CA-31).

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

    Online Image: 98KB; 600 x 765 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     
    Photo #: 80-G-30123

    North African Campaign
    , November 1942

    Rear Admiral Henry K. Hewitt, USN (left) speaking with Rear Admiral John L. Hall, USN (right foreground), probably on board USS Augusta (CA-31).
    Photo is dated 4 December 1942, but was probably taken on or about 8 November 1942.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

    Online Image: 80KB; 740 x 630 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     
    Photo #: 80-G-30122

    North African Campaign
    , November 1942

    Major General George S. Patton, U.S. Army (left center) and Rear Admiral John L. Hall, USN (behind Patton) prepare to go ashore during the North African operation.
    Photo is dated 4 December 1942, but was probably taken on 9 November 1942, when Patton went ashore for the first time at Fedhala, Morocco.
    Note that several members of the party are armed with Thompson submachine guns. An M1 carbine is also present.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

    Online Image: 112KB; 740 x 610 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     
    Photo #: 80-G-43429

    Rear Admiral John L. Hall, Jr., USN
    (left),
    Commander Task Force 81, Gela ("Dime") Attack Force,

    With Captain Roger Heimer, USCG, on board USS Samuel Chase (APA-26), after the July 1943 Sicily landings.
    The ship was Rear Admiral Hall's flagship, and Captain Heimer was her Commanding Officer.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

    Online Image: 78KB; 585 x 765 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     

    For additional images concerning John L. Hall, Jr., see:

  • Admiral John L. Hall, Jr., USN -- Activities in 1944 and Later


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


    Return to Naval Historical Center home page.

    Page made 29 February 2004
    Minor text corrections made 9 March 2004