George J Hall-Stoneham, MA
Posted by: 
Don.Morfe
N 42° 29.622 W 071° 05.418
19T E 328227 N 4706710
World War II Medal of Honor Recipient for action near Anzio, Italy on May 23, 1944. He is buried in Saint Patrick Cemetery, Stoneham, MA in North West Singles Section, Row 12, Lot 15.
Waymark Code: WMWZNT
Location: Massachusetts, United States
Date Posted: 11/05/2017
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He was born on January 9, 1920 in Stoneham, MA and died on February 16, 1946 in Stoneham MA. His Medal of Honor information and citation is: HALL, GEORGE J.
• Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, 135th Infantry, 34th Infantry Division
• Place and date: Near Anzio, Italy, 23 May 1944
• Entered service at: Boston, Mass.
• G.O. No.: 24, 6 April 1945
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty. Attacking across flat, open terrain under direct enemy observation, S/Sgt. Hall's company was pinned down by grazing fire from 3 enemy machineguns and harassing sniper fire. S/Sgt. Hall volunteered to eliminate these obstacles in the path of advance. Crawling along a plowed furrow through furious machinegun fire, he made his way to a point within hand grenade range of 1 of the enemy positions. He pounded the enemy with 4 hand grenades, and when the smoke had died away, S/Sgt. Hall and 2 dead Germans occupied the position, while 4 of the enemy were crawling back to our lines as prisoners. Discovering a quantity of German potato-masher grenades in the position, S/Sgt. Hall engaged the second enemy nest in a deadly exchange of grenades. Each time he exposed himself to throw a grenade the Germans fired machinegun bursts at him. The vicious duel finally ended in S/Sgt. Hall's favor with 5 of the enemy surrendered and 5 others lay dead. Turning his attention to the third machinegun, S/Sgt. Hall left his position and crawled along a furrow, the enemy firing frantically in an effort to halt him. As he neared his final objective, an enemy artillery concentration fell on the area, and S/Sgt. Hall's right leg was severed by a shellburst. With 2 enemy machineguns eliminated, his company was able to flank the third and continue its advance without incurring excessive casualties. S/Sgt. Hall's fearlessness, his determined fighting spirit, and his prodigious combat skill exemplify the heroic tradition of the American Infantryman.
Armed Service: Army
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