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.
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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): Note: Though the quoted source uses "safe" as the citation's final word, other sources give the word as "safely". |
NOTES:
If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions." |
Page made 3 November 2008
Edited and reposted 14 October 2009