World War II Medal of Honor Recipient. He received the award from Rear Admiral Ralston S. Holmes at the US Naval Yard in San Diego, California on November 21, 1942 for his actions as a lieutenant junior grade pilot on May 7, 1942 during the Battle of the Coral Sea. He joined the US Navy in 1938 and following the US entry into World War II, he was assigned as a scout plane pilot with the USS Lexington's Scouting Squadron 2. During the Battle of the Coral Sea, he participated in the attack on the Japanese aircraft carrier Shoho, gaining a share in its destruction and the following day, while flying anti-torpedo plane patrol in defense of his carrier, he attacked a section of Japanese torpedo bombers, setting afire the lead plane. In spite of his aircraft sustaining damage and being seriously wounded, he managed to land safely. He was also awarded the Purple Heart medal. After the war, he separated from the US Navy in 1946 at the rank of lieutenant commander. His Medal of Honor citation reads: "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 3 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 safe."
World War II Medal of Honor Recipient. He received the award from Rear Admiral Ralston S. Holmes at the US Naval Yard in San Diego, California on November 21, 1942 for his actions as a lieutenant junior grade pilot on May 7, 1942 during the Battle of the Coral Sea. He joined the US Navy in 1938 and following the US entry into World War II, he was assigned as a scout plane pilot with the USS Lexington's Scouting Squadron 2. During the Battle of the Coral Sea, he participated in the attack on the Japanese aircraft carrier Shoho, gaining a share in its destruction and the following day, while flying anti-torpedo plane patrol in defense of his carrier, he attacked a section of Japanese torpedo bombers, setting afire the lead plane. In spite of his aircraft sustaining damage and being seriously wounded, he managed to land safely. He was also awarded the Purple Heart medal. After the war, he separated from the US Navy in 1946 at the rank of lieutenant commander. His Medal of Honor citation reads: "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 3 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 safe."
Bio by: William Bjornstad
Inscription
Medal of Honor; Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Navy, World War II, Purple Heart
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