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.

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.