TFH 5/8: Lieutenant Junior Grade William E. Hall, USNR

From Medal of Honor Citations for World War II:

HALL, WILLIAM E.

Rank and organization: Lieutenant, Junior Grade, U.S. Naval Reserve. Place and date: Coral Sea, 7 and 8 May 1942. Entered service at: Utah. Born: 31 October 1913, Storrs, Utah. 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 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.

William Hall survived World War II, rising to the rank of Lieutenant Commander. He passed away at age 83 in 1996 and rests in peace at Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery. (Wikipedia)

We all owe him a debt of gratitude for his sacrifices, service, and courage in the face of the enemies of our Nation and of freedom itself. May 8, 1942 was his finest hour!