World War II Honoree

Oscar Hale

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Laredo, Texas

Honored By

Douglas M. Alford, USN

HE WAS SWORN INTO THE UNITED STATES NAVAL SERVICE AT FORT SAM HOUSTON, SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS. ATTENDED BASIC TRAINING AT THE GREAT LAKES NAVAL TRAINING CENTER, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. HE WAS TRANSFERRED TO MARE ISLAND, SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA TO AWAIT TRANSFER TO HIS SHIP THE USS BIRMINGHAM (CL-62) A LIGHT CRUISER OUT OF HAWAII. THE SHIP WAS PART OF THE TASK FORCE 57. TOOK PART IN THE BATTLE OF SAIPAN, BATTLE OF THE PHILIPPINE SEA, TINIAN, BATTLE OF GUAM, PHILIPPINE ISLAND RAIDS, OKINAWA RAIDS, NORTHERN LUZON, FORMOSA RAIDS AND THE BATTLE OF LEYTE GULF. IT WAS IN THE BATTLE OF LEYTE GULF THAT THE USS BIRMINGHAM CAME TO THE AID OF THE STRICKEN CARRIER USS PRINCETON. IT WAS IN THIS SUPPORT OF THE CARRIER THAT HE WAS INJURED. THE USS BIRMINGHAM WAS RETIRED TO MARE ISLAND, SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA FOR REPAIRS. HE WAS RELEASED FROM ACTIVE DUTY AND PLACED ON A TROOP TRAIN FOR FORT SAM HOUSTON WHERE HE RECEIVED HIS HONORABLE DISCHARGE. DURING HIS TOUR HE RECEIVED THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER MEDAL, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AND PURPLE HEART. HIS SHIP RECEIVED NINE BATTLE STARS DURING HIS PERIOD OF SERVICE.