Joseph Hall

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Joseph Hall (ASN: 0-1824859), United States Army, for gallantry in action on 27 – 28 December 1944, near **** and ****, Belgium. During the period 27 – 28 December 1944, Second Lieutenant Hall, Platoon Leader, Company D, 2d Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, volunteered for several hazardous patrol missions against the enemy. As a result of Second Lieutenant Hall’s aggressive action, valuable information concerning enemy strength and the composition of units was gained. On 28 December, Second Lieutenant Hall proceeded with five men to the vicinity of ****, Belgium. He carried with him a mortar tube and twenty rounds of ammunition. Securing a vantage point from which he could overlook the village, Second Lieutenant Hall and his men fired the twenty rounds of 60-mm. mortar shell into the street, amongst a group of the enemy. Severe casualties were observed to have been caused by this fire. Second Lieutenant Hall’s great personal courage, and the manner in which he conducted his patrols, was responsible for inflicting severe losses upon the enemy and was instrumental in disrupting an attack upon this sector. His conduct and gallantry reflect great credit upon himself and upon the Airborne Forces of the United States Army.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Joseph Hall (ASN: 0-1824859), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company D, 2d Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, in action on 31 December 1944, near ****, Belgium. Second Lieutenant Hall, Platoon Leader, Company D, voluntarily led a patrol within the enemy lines. In daylight with six men, Second Lieutenant Hall proceeded to the outskirts of ****. Noting no enemy activity within the village, he searched the surrounding countryside and discovered a trail leading up a firebreak along which he moved swiftly until he came within sight of the enemy. Without pausing, he deployed his men and opened fire, killing on German. He continued his advance under an intense hail of fire and so disconcerted the enemy with the volume of his fire that the enemy machine gunners left their weapons and fled into the woods. Second Lieutenant Hall then attacked the main group in a ditch near the end of the firebreak. This attack was carried right into the enemy’s position. Twelve Germans were killed in the ditch and others driven back. Second Lieutenant Hall then reassembled his patrol and returned to his lines without casualties. His courageous action in the face of the enemy reflects great credit upon himself and the Airborne Forces of the United States Army.