T/5 Lewis R. Hall
U.S. Army, 25th Infantry Division, 35th Infantry, Company M

Background
Lewis R. Hall was born March 2, 1895 in Bloom, Ohio. He enlisted in the U.S. Army at Obetz, Rural Station 7 in Columbus, Ohio. Assigned to the 25th Infantry Division, 35th Infantry Regiment "Cacti", Company M.

Wartime History
On January 10, 1943 at Sea Horse near Mount Austen on Guadalcanal, Lewis Hall and Sgt William Fournier rushed to man an idle machine gun. While Hall raised the gun, Fournier opened fire until both were Killed in Action (KIA). Later, both earned the Medal of Honor for their actions.

Awards
On June 5, 1943 Fournier and Hall earned the Medal of Honor, posthumously. He also earned the Purple Heart, posthumously.

Medal of Honor Citation Posthumous (G.O. No.: 28, 5 June 1943) Citation: "For gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty. As leader of a machinegun squad charged with the protection of other battalion units, his group was attacked by a superior number of Japanese, his gunner killed, his assistant gunner wounded, and an adjoining guncrew put out of action. Ordered to withdraw from his hazardous position, he refused to retire but rushed forward to the idle gun and with the aid of another soldier who joined him [William G. Fournier] and held up the machinegun by the tripod to increase its field of action he opened fire and inflicted heavy casualties upon the enemy. While so engaged both these gallant soldiers were killed, but their sturdy defense was a decisive factor in the following success of the attacking battalion."

Memorials
Hall is buried at Glen Rest Memorial Estate in Reynoldsburg, OH at block c, lot 698, grave 4 his grave includes a relief of the Medal of Honor.

References
FindAGrave - Lewis R. Hall (photo, grave photo)

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