William E. Hall

Flying through wounds in the Battle of the Coral Sea

William Edward Hall earned the Medal of Honor for aerial combat during the Battle of the Coral Sea on May 7 and 8, 1942. A Navy lieutenant junior grade, he flew with Scouting Squadron 2 aboard USS Lexington.

On May 7, Hall pressed a dive-bombing attack against a Japanese aircraft carrier, contributing to its destruction. The following day, he fought enemy aircraft attacking the American fleet. Despite serious wounds, he continued the engagement, destroying three enemy planes and bringing his aircraft safely back.

Hall was born in Storrs, Utah, on October 31, 1913. He received the Medal of Honor in San Diego on November 22, 1942. He died on November 15, 1996, in Kansas City, Kansas, and was buried at Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery. His award commemorates both his offensive flying and his determination to continue after being wounded.

Medal of Honor 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 three 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 safely.