William E. Hall

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.

Biography Hall graduated from the University of Redlands and then joined the Navy from his birth state of Utah in May 1938. He completed flight training as a naval aviator in September 1939

Medal of Honor Citation Hall (left) and his wife during his Medal of Honor presentation by Rear Adm. Ralston S. Holmes Hall's official 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.

Awards and decorations

with service starAmerican Defense Service Medal with "A" Device3rd rowAmerican Campaign MedalAsiatic-Pacific Campaign Medalwith three campaign starsWorld War II Victory Medal