World War II Honoree

William Elzy Hall, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Meadowbrook, West Virginia

Honored By

Jennifer Hall Mason

Relationship

Grand Niece

He was assigned to the 180th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division. A powerful German counterattack had broken through the American line south of Bitche in December 1944, and threatened to push through to the Saverne Gap. On 2 January 1945, the regiment was ordered to withdraw from Germany and to proceed immediately to the southern most point of the enemy thrust in the vicinity north of Erkartsweiller, Saverne, Bas-Rhin, Grand Est, France. The regiment moved to its sector, and on 4 January launched its counter-offensive. He was 19 years old when he was killed in action on 5 January 1945. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart Medal. He is buried in the Lorraine American Cemetery, Saint-Avold, Departyment de la Moselle, Lorraine, France.