Donald Pierce Hall
Colonel, U.S. Air Force

On 28 July 1943, then-Lieutenant Colonel Donald Pierce Hall was serving as Pilot of a B-25 Mitchell Bomber in the 8th Bombardment Squadron, 3rd Bombardment Group (Light), Fifth Air Force, U.S. Army Air Forces.

On that day, LTC Hall’s unit was in action against Japanese forces while participating in a bombing mission against enemy targets in the Southwest Pacific Area. LTC Hall’s courageous actions and extraordinary heroism that day earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

On 17-18 August 1943, now-Colonel Hall's unit was in action while attacking Wewak and Boram, two Japanese airdromes at Wewak, New Guinea. COL Hall planned and personally directed an attack by 3 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 a long line of aircraft parked along the strips and in the dispersal areas. After completely destroying a Japanese force of 206 aircraft, the formation returned without the loss of a plane or injury to any of the crew members. COL Hall's daring leadership and brilliant tactical planning 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. COL Hall’s courageous actions and extraordinary heroism that day earned him a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Service Cross. The unit was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for the attacks.

COL Hall, on 16 June 1944, was leading a formation of B-25's on a long, low-level strike against 2 heavily defended Japanese airdromes in Dutch New Guinea. COL 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 that left it covered with fire and smoke, COL Hall sighted Japanese fighters rising from Jefman Island. With several bursts from his nose guns, he hit 2 of them, damaging one and destroying the other. In the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire, he continued to lead his formation over the 2nd target, where fuel and supply dumps were left blazing fiercely and more than fifty airplanes were destroyed or damaged. COL Hall's leadership and courage on this mission earned him a 2nd Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a 3rd Award of the Silver Star Medal.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Army Distinguished Service Cross with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Army Distinguished Service Medal
Silver Star Medal with 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
Legion of Merit
Distinguished Flying Cross with 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
Presidential Unit Citation
American Defense Service Medal
American Campaign Medal
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with 3 Bronze Stars
World War II Victory Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Air Force Longevity Service Award
Command Pilot Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation Synopsis (1st of 2 Awards)

Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) Donald P. Hall, United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross 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 28 July 1943, against enemy targets in Southwest Pacific Area. The personal courage and zealous devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Colonel Hall on this 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.

General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Army Forces in the Far East, General Orders No. 62 (1943)

Distinguished Service Cross Citation (2nd of 2 Awards)

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 ***, and ** 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 **, and made a contribution of inestimable value to the success of Allied military operations in this area.

General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Forces-Pacific, General Orders No. 57 (July 17, 1945)

Death and Burial

Colonel Donald Pierce Hall died on 6 July 1978 in Lancaster, CA. He is buried at Joshua Memorial Park in Lancaster, Los Angeles County, CA, in Plot: Sunrise 91E.

https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=144482943