World War II Honoree

Johnnie D. Hall

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Greenville County, South Carolina

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

RANK: PRIVATE. JAPANESE PRISONER OF WAR FOR 103 DAYS. INDUCTED INTO THE ARMY FEBRUARY 7, 1941 AT FORT MCPHERSON, GEORGIA. SERVED WITH THE U.S. ARMY, FOX COMPANY, 31ST INFANTRY REGIMENT STATIONED IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. WHILE ENGAGED IN COMBAT DURING THE DEFENSE OF LUZON AND RETREATING TO THE BATAAN PENINSULA, THE JAPANESE INVADING FORCES CAPTURED HIM APRIL 9, 1942 DURING THE INVASION OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. FORCED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE BATAAN DEATH MARCH AND WAS HELD CAPTIVE AT THE PRISONER OF WAR CAMP #2 CABANATUAN, NUEVA PROVINCE LUZON. HE WAS REPORTED MISSING IN ACTION TUESDAY, JULY 21, 1942 AND IS MEMORIALIZED AT THE MANILA AMERICAN CEMETERY LOCATED AT FORT BONIFACIO, MANILA, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. DECORATIONS AND MEDALS: BRONZE STAR AND THE PURPLE HEART. THE BRONZE STAR WAS AWARDED TO THE SOLDIER FOR BRAVERY, ACT OF MERIT AND MERITORIOUS SERVICE. HIS REGIMENT WAS AWARDED A PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION WITH 2 BRONZE OAK LEAF CLUSTERS AND THE PHILIPPINE PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION FOR EXCEPTIONAL VALOR AND HEROISM IN ACTION AGAINST THE JAPANESE ARMED FORCES.