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Medal of Honor on Exhibit

To commemorate the Battle of the Coral Sea and the sinking of USS LEXINGTON CV-2 we are honored to exhibit the Medal of Honor awarded to Lieutenant Junior Grade William E. Hall. His medal will be on display in the newly renovated exhibit “Battle of the Coral Sea”. The exhibit will officially open Thursday, May 8th at 10am.
7-8 May 1942 Battle of the Coral Sea – Lieutenant Junior Grade William E. Hall is aboard USS LEXINGTON CV-2 serving as a scout plane pilot with Scouting Squadron 2 flying the SBD Dauntless. On 7 May over the Coral Sea he dive-bombed a Japanese aircraft carrier, contributing greatly to its destruction. The next day, he attacked a superior number of Japanese planes and shot down three. Although his aircraft was damaged and he was seriously wounded in this attack, he managed to land safely. For these actions, he was awarded the Medal of Honor. The Medal of Honor will be on display until Memorial Day. After leaving the Navy Mr. Hall took up knot tying and included in this new exhibit is a purse and boat fender made of thousands of square knots.
Joining us for this event will be Gwen Hall daughter of Mr. Hall and Harry Frey a survivor of USS LEXINGTON CV-2.
WHAT: “Battle of the Coral Sea” exhibit opening
WHERE: USS LEXINGTON Museum on the Bay, Hangar Deck
WHEN: Thursday 08 May 2014 – 10:00 AM