William E. Hall
Private, U.S. Army

On 8 September 1944, Private William E. Hall was serving with the 7th Engineer Combat Battalion, 5th Infantry Division, Third U.S. Army.

On that day, PVT Hall’s unit was in action against elements of the 17th SS Panzergrenadier Division during the Battle of Metz, France. PVT Hall served with a detail ferrying the assault infantrymen in a crossing of the Moselle River near Dornot, France. After the crew members of his boat were wounded, PVT Hall manned the boat by himself and it was the first to reach the far shore under the intense German fire directed against the crossing site. In a later crossing, a direct mortar burst wounded many passengers but PVT Hall stood in the boat, guided it to the near shore, and evacuated the casualties before it sank. PVT Hall then procured a 2nd boat that was also hit and sunk, forcing him to swim to shore through the freezing water. After acquiring a 3rd boat, PVT Hall continued his crossings throughout the night and the following day, under intensified German fire, until he was killed by artillery fire. PVT Hall’s courageous actions and extraordinary heroism that day, at the cost of his life, earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals and Awards

Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart
Army Good Conduct Medal
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 3 Bronze Stars
World War II Victory Medal

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Private William E. Hall (ASN: 18046334), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the 7th Engineer Combat Battalion, 5th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces in France, on 8 September 1944. On that date, Private Hall served with a detail ferrying infantrymen in an assault crossing of the Moselle River near Dornot, France. His boat, which he manned by himself after assigned crew members had been wounded, was the first to reach the far shore under intense fire directed against the crossing site. During a subsequent crossing a direct mortar burst caused many casualties among the passengers, but this brave soldier, headless of his own safety, stood in the boat, guided it to the near shore and evacuated the casualties before it sank. He immediately procured another boat which was also hit and sunk, forcing him to swim to shore through the freezing water. He obtained a third boat and continued his hazardous crossings throughout the night and the following day, under intensified enemy fire, until he was killed by artillery fire. Private Hall's conspicuous courage and heroic determination exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 5th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.

General Orders: Headquarters, Third U.S. Army, General Orders No. 62 (March 20, 1945)

Burial

Private William E. Hall is buried at the Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial in Saint-Avold, Departement de la Moselle, Lorraine, France in Plot K, Row 46, Grave 28.

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