"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and
beyond the call of duty. Attacking across flat, open terrain under
direct enemy observation, S/Sgt. Hall's company was pinned down by
grazing fire from 3 enemy machine guns and harassing sniper
fire. S/Sgt. Hall volunteered to eliminate these obstacles in the path
of advance. Crawling along a plowed furrow through furious machinegun
fire, he made his way to a point within hand grenade
range of 1 of the enemy positions. He pounded the enemy with 4 hand
grenades, and when the smoke had died away, S/Sgt. Hall and 2 dead
Germans occupied the position, while 4 of the enemy were crawling back
to our lines as prisoners. Discovering a quantity of German potato-masher grenades
in the position, S/Sgt. Hall engaged the second enemy nest in a deadly
exchange of grenades. Each time he exposed himself to throw a grenade
the Germans fired machinegun bursts at him. The vicious duel finally
ended in S/Sgt. Hall's favor with 5 of the enemy surrendered and 5
others lay dead. Turning his attention to the third machinegun, S/Sgt.
Hall left his position and crawled along a furrow, the enemy firing
frantically in an effort to halt him. As he neared his final objective,
an enemy artillery concentration fell on the area, and S/Sgt. Hall's
right leg was severed by a shell burst. With 2 enemy machine guns
eliminated, his company was able to flank the third and continue its
advance without incurring excessive casualties. S/Sgt. Hall's
fearlessness, his determined fighting spirit, and his prodigious combat
skill exemplify the heroic tradition of the American Infantryman."
From S/Sgt. Hall's Medal of Honor citation, awarded on April 6, 1945.
May you be at peace,
Brian & Melonie
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