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.
