The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Commander Finley Elliott Hall (NSN: 0-62532), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Executive Officer of the U.S.S. LISCOME BAY (CVE-56), during action against enemy Japanese forces off Makin Island, Gilbert Islands, on 24 November 1943. When his ship was struck by a hostile torpedo in the early morning darkness and left exploding and blazing, Commander Hall immediately and skillfully supervised the evacuation of personnel from his battle station in the radar plot and, completely disregarding his own safety in the face of continuous ammunition explosions, tremendous structural damage and raging fires, voluntarily remained aboard the rapidly sinking vessel in a gallant effort to search for other wounded and trapped shipmates. His great personal valor and self-sacrificing efforts under extreme perilous conditions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.