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 Distinguished Service Cross to Colonel (Air Corps) Donald Pierce Hall (ASN: 0-321890), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a B-25 Bomber in the 8th Bombardment Squadron, 3d Bombardment Group (L), FIFTH Air Force, in action at Boran and Wewak airdromes on 17 and 18 August 1943. Colonel Hall planned and personally directed an attack by three squadrons upon these two strongly defended enemy airdromes. Despite the expectation of heavy anti-aircraft fire and fighter interception, he led his planes over the entire length of the runways, strafing and bombing with deadly accuracy a long line of air craft parked along the strips and in the dispersal areas. After completely destroying an enemy force of two hundred and six aircraft, the formation returned without the loss of a plane or injury to any of the crew members. By his daring leadership and brilliant tactical planning, Colonel Hall deprived the enemy of an exceptionally large number of aircraft intended to lend support to enemy ground troops defending strategic bases on the northern coast of New Guinea, and made a contribution of inestimable value to the success of Allied military operations in this area.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Legion of Merit
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Distinguished Service Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Army Distinguished Service Medal
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Colonel (Air Corps)Regiment:
3d Bombardment Group (L)Division:
5th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel (Air Corps) Donald Pierce Hall (ASN: 0-321890), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving with the FIFTH Air Force in the Southwest Pacific Area during World War II. His devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.
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Legion of Merit
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel Donald Pierce Hall (ASN: 0-321890), United States Air Force, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States.
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Distinguished Service Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)Regiment:
3d Bombardment Group (L)Division:
5th Air ForceAction Date:
July 28, 1943
Headquarters, U.S. Army Forces in the Far East, General Orders No. 62 (October 20, 1943)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) Donald Pierce Hall (ASN: 0-321890), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a B-25 Medium Bomber in the 3d Bombardment Group (L), FIFTH Air Force, while participating in a bombing mission on against enemy targets near Gloucester, New Britain, on 28 July 1943. Leading a formation of bombers to attack an enemy barge concentration, Lieutenant Colonel Hall was notified of the possible presence of enemy destroyers in the area. Thich weather forced his fighter escort to turn back while still forty minutes from the scene of attack. He courageously elected to continue unescorted, taking advantage of the overcast for protection against the enemy fighter cover to be anticipated over the target area. Shortly before reaching the objective, this expected fighter cover, of eight to ten planes, was sighted. Lieutenant Colonel Hall, refusing to abandon the mission, led his formation in to the attack at minimum altitude. A transport airplane was destroyed on the Cape Gloucester runway, two destroyers were hit and rendered unserviceable and several barges were sunk. During the interception which followed, two enemy fighters were shot down. Lieutenant Colonel Hall led his formation back to its base with the loss of only one aircraft and one crew member. In this engagement, he showed excellent judgment, great skill, and daring leadership. Lieutenant Colonel Hall’s gallant leadership, personal courage, and zealous devotion to duty occasion have upheld the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 5th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Colonel (Air Corps)Regiment:
3d Bombardment Group (L)Division:
5th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel (Air Corps) Donald Pierce Hall (ASN: 0-321890), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving with the FIFTH Air Force in the Southwest Pacific Area during World War II. His devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.
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Army Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Colonel (Air Corps)Action Date:
January 1944 – June 1945
War Department, General Orders No. 113 (December 4, 1945)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Colonel (Air Corps) Donald Pierce Hall (ASN: 0-321890), United States Army Air Forces, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility in the Southwest Pacific Area from January 1944 to June 1945. As Assistant Chief of Staff, A-3, and later as Chief of Staff of V Bomber Command, Colonel Hall played a significant part in the preparation, planning, and execution of bombardment operations which neutralized enemy air power and enemy bases from Hollandia to the Philippine Islands and which aided in subsequent Allied re-occupation of Dutch New Guinea, Palau, and the Philippines.; He integrated the operations of nine bombardment groups and personally participated in strike missions so that his invaluable combat experience could be utilized to perfect tactics and effect closer coordination. As Chief of Staff, a position which he assumed on 1 July 1944, he improved the administrative efficiency of V Bomber Command and continued to help direct its operational activities. One of his most important administrative innovations was the establishment of an effective policy of relief and return to the United States for bomber crews. The broad knowledge of bombardment tactics and techniques repeatedly demonstrated by Colonel Hall, his ready assumption of both combat and staff responsibilities, his outstanding professional ability, and his exemplary leadership were important factors in the success of Allied aerial operations in the Southwest Pacific Area. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Hall and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Colonel (Air Corps)Regiment:
3d Bombardment Group (L)Division:
5th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
Headquarters, 5th Air Force, General Orders No. 20 (October 12, 1942)(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Colonel (Air Corps) Donald Pierce Hall (ASN: 0-321890), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a B-25 Mitchell Bomber and as Commanding Officer of the 3d Bombardment Group (Light), FIFTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the Southwest Pacific Theater of Operations, in 1942. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Colonel Hall, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Colonel (Air Corps)Regiment:
3d Bombardment Group (L)Division:
5th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel (Air Corps) Donald Pierce Hall (ASN: 0-321890), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving with the FIFTH Air Force in the Southwest Pacific Area during World War II. His devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Colonel (Air Corps)Regiment:
3d Bombardment Group (L)Division:
5th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
Headquarters, 5th Air Force, General Orders No. 92 (May 15, 1943)(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 Colonel (Air Corps) Donald Pierce Hall (ASN: 0-321890), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a B-25 Mitchell Bomber and as Commanding Officer of the 3d Bombardment Group (Light), FIFTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the Southwest Pacific Theater of Operations, in 1942. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Colonel Hall, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Colonel (Air Corps)Regiment:
3d Bombardment Group (L)Division:
5th Air ForceAction Date:
June 16, 1944
Headquarters, Far East Air Forces, General Orders No. 160 (August 22, 1944)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Colonel (Air Corps) Donald Pierce Hall (ASN: 0-321890), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action while serving as Commanding Officer of the 3d Bombardment Group (Light), FIFTH Air Force in action over Dutch New Guinea on 16 June 1944. Voluntarily heading a formation of B-25’s on a long, low-level strike against two heavily defended Japanese airdromes, Colonel Hall achieved almost complete surprise on the enemy by leading his bombers between low rolling hills at minimum altitude. After a bombing and strafing run on Samate Airdrome which left is covered with fire and smoke, Colonel Hall sighted enemy fighters rising from Jefman Island. With several bursts from his nose guns, he caught two of them, damaging one and destroying the other. In the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire, he continued to lead his formation over the second target, where fuel and supply dumps were left blazing fiercely and more than fifty airplanes were destroyed or damaged. The gallantry and leadership displayed by Colonel Hall on this mission are in keeping with the finest traditions of the service.