Charles P. Hall
Encyclopedia
Charles Philip Hall was an American General most notable for being the commander of the U.S. Army's XI Corps
during World War II
and the principal commander during the Battle of Bataan to liberate the Philippines from Japanese forces.
and attended the University of Mississippi
from 1905 to 1907. He then entered the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and was commissioned in 1911 as a second lieutenant of infantry. He served with the 20th Infantry Regiment
until 1914, when he became an instructor in mathematics at West Point. In August 1917, he transferred to the 23rd Infantry Regiment
, and then went to France for World War I
. In March 1918, he became the adjutant of the 3rd Infantry Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division. He served at Verdun, Chateau Thierry, at Soissons in the Marne Offensive, in the St. Mihiel sector, and at Champagne in the Aisne Offensive.
Hall received the Army Distinguished Service Cross
, second to the Medal of Honor, for extraordinary heroism in action at Vierzy
, France on July 18, 1918. His citation read: "At a critical time in the battle, when information was difficult to obtain, Lieutenant Colonel Hall, Brigade Adjutant, volunteered to report on the fighting in Vierzy, which was then in the hands of the enemy. Accompanying a group of French tanks, he entered the town under intense fire; and, during the advance, went forward through machine-gun fire and carried to safety a wounded man. He assisted materially in maintaining organization among the troops and established a first aid station at which many wounded were cared for, returning later to Brigade Headquarters with valuable information." http://www.homeofheroes.com/valor/1_Citations/01_wwi_dsc/dsc_05wwi_Army_H.html
In addition, Hall was awarded three silver star medals for gallantry. He also received the French Croix de Guerre
for bravery on October 4, 1918, as well as the Legion of Honor.
After graduation from the Army War College in 1930, he spent two years in the Philippines. He then returned to Fort Benning as an instructor at the Infantry School from 1932 to 1937. From 1937 to 1940, he was Director of Ground Arms, Air Corps Tactical School, Maxwell Field, Alabama. In 1940, he took command of the 11th Infantry Regiment.
In October 1942, he took command of the XI Corps. He led the corps in combat in New Guinea and on Morotai
. The corps then fought at Leyte and on Luzon in the Philippine Campaign, most notably in the Battle of Bataan. In September 1945, the corps landed at Yokohama for the initial occupation of Japan. Hall relinquished command of the corps on March 15, 1946.
From March 1946 to December 1948, he served as the Director of Organization and Training on the War Department General Staff (from 1947 the Department of the Army). He retired on December 31, 1948 and was placed on the retired list as a lieutenant general on January 1, 1949. He died on January 26, 1953 in San Antonio, Texas
, and was buried in the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery
.
XI Corps (United States)
XI Corps was a corps of the United States Army in World War II and the Korean War.-References:* Weigley, Russell F. . Eisenhower's Lieutenants. Bloomington: Indiana University Press. ISBN 0-253-13333-5....
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and the principal commander during the Battle of Bataan to liberate the Philippines from Japanese forces.
Early career and World War I
Hall was born in Sardis, MississippiSardis, Mississippi
Sardis is a town in Panola County, Mississippi, United States. As of the 2000 census, the town population was 2,038.-Geography:Sardis is located at ....
and attended the University of Mississippi
University of Mississippi
The University of Mississippi, also known as Ole Miss, is a public, coeducational research university located in Oxford, Mississippi. Founded in 1844, the school is composed of the main campus in Oxford, four branch campuses located in Booneville, Grenada, Tupelo, and Southaven as well as the...
from 1905 to 1907. He then entered the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and was commissioned in 1911 as a second lieutenant of infantry. He served with the 20th Infantry Regiment
20th Infantry Regiment (United States)
The 20th Infantry Regiment is a United States Army infantry regiment.-History:It was organized on 6 June 1862 at Fort Independence , as the 2nd Battalion of the 11th Infantry, one of the nine "three-battalion" regiments of regulars, each battalion containing eight companies of infantry, in...
until 1914, when he became an instructor in mathematics at West Point. In August 1917, he transferred to the 23rd Infantry Regiment
23rd Infantry Regiment (United States)
The 23rd Infantry Regiment is an infantry regiment in the United States Army originally formed on June 26th 1812. The 23rd saw action in 14 battles during the War of 1812...
, and then went to France for World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. In March 1918, he became the adjutant of the 3rd Infantry Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division. He served at Verdun, Chateau Thierry, at Soissons in the Marne Offensive, in the St. Mihiel sector, and at Champagne in the Aisne Offensive.
Hall received the Army Distinguished Service Cross
Distinguished Service Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Service Cross is the second highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Army, for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with an armed enemy force. Actions that merit the Distinguished Service Cross must be of such a high degree...
, second to the Medal of Honor, for extraordinary heroism in action at Vierzy
Vierzy
Vierzy is a commune in the Aisne department in Picardy in northern France....
, France on July 18, 1918. His citation read: "At a critical time in the battle, when information was difficult to obtain, Lieutenant Colonel Hall, Brigade Adjutant, volunteered to report on the fighting in Vierzy, which was then in the hands of the enemy. Accompanying a group of French tanks, he entered the town under intense fire; and, during the advance, went forward through machine-gun fire and carried to safety a wounded man. He assisted materially in maintaining organization among the troops and established a first aid station at which many wounded were cared for, returning later to Brigade Headquarters with valuable information." http://www.homeofheroes.com/valor/1_Citations/01_wwi_dsc/dsc_05wwi_Army_H.html
In addition, Hall was awarded three silver star medals for gallantry. He also received the French Croix de Guerre
Croix de guerre
The Croix de guerre is a military decoration of France. It was first created in 1915 and consists of a square-cross medal on two crossed swords, hanging from a ribbon with various degree pins. The decoration was awarded during World War I, again in World War II, and in other conflicts...
for bravery on October 4, 1918, as well as the Legion of Honor.
Between the wars
After service with the Army of Occupation until August 1919, Hall returned to the United States with the 2nd Division, remaining as brigade and then division adjutant until 1922. He served on the Infantry Board from 1922 to 1923, and was then a student at the Infantry School. From 1924 to 1925, he attended the Command and General Staff School at Fort Leavenworth, where he was a distinguished graduate. He then served as an instructor at the Infantry School until 1929, when he entered the Army War College.After graduation from the Army War College in 1930, he spent two years in the Philippines. He then returned to Fort Benning as an instructor at the Infantry School from 1932 to 1937. From 1937 to 1940, he was Director of Ground Arms, Air Corps Tactical School, Maxwell Field, Alabama. In 1940, he took command of the 11th Infantry Regiment.
World War II to retirement
In 1941-42, he served with the 3rd Infantry Division as assistant division commander and briefly as division commanding general. He then commanded the 93rd Infantry Division from May to October 1942.In October 1942, he took command of the XI Corps. He led the corps in combat in New Guinea and on Morotai
Battle of Morotai
The Battle of Morotai, part of the Pacific War, began on September 15, 1944, and continued until the war ended in August 1945. The fighting began when United States and Australian forces landed on the south-west corner of Morotai, a small island in the Netherlands East Indies , which the Allies...
. The corps then fought at Leyte and on Luzon in the Philippine Campaign, most notably in the Battle of Bataan. In September 1945, the corps landed at Yokohama for the initial occupation of Japan. Hall relinquished command of the corps on March 15, 1946.
From March 1946 to December 1948, he served as the Director of Organization and Training on the War Department General Staff (from 1947 the Department of the Army). He retired on December 31, 1948 and was placed on the retired list as a lieutenant general on January 1, 1949. He died on January 26, 1953 in San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the United States of America and the second-largest city within the state of Texas, with a population of 1.33 million. Located in the American Southwest and the south–central part of Texas, the city serves as the seat of Bexar County. In 2011,...
, and was buried in the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery
Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery
Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery is a United States National Cemetery in the city of San Antonio in Bexar County, Texas. It encompasses , and as of the end of 2008, had 120,982 interments.- History :...
.
Decorations
Among Hall's decorations were:
Distinguished Service CrossDistinguished Service Cross (United States)The Distinguished Service Cross is the second highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Army, for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with an armed enemy force. Actions that merit the Distinguished Service Cross must be of such a high degree...
Distinguished Service MedalDistinguished Service Medal (Army)The Distinguished Service Medal is a military award of the United States Army that is presented to any person who, while serving in any capacity with the United States military, has distinguished himself or herself by exceptionally meritorious service to the Government in a duty of great...
Silver StarSilver StarThe Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
(with 2 oak leaf clusters)
Bronze StarBronze Star MedalThe Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
Purple HeartPurple HeartThe Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
French Legion of Honor
French Croix de GuerreCroix de guerreThe Croix de guerre is a military decoration of France. It was first created in 1915 and consists of a square-cross medal on two crossed swords, hanging from a ribbon with various degree pins. The decoration was awarded during World War I, again in World War II, and in other conflicts...
Philippine Legion of HonorPhilippine Legion of HonorThe Philippine Legion of Honor was established by President Manuel Roxas, through Philippine Army Circular No. 60 dated July 3, 1947. The Philippine Legion of Honor was patterned after the Legion of Merit of the United States of America, and was meant to honor both civilians and members of the...
, grade of Commander
Egyptian Order of the NileOrder of the NileThe Order of the Nile is Egypt's highest state honor. The award was instituted in 1915 by Sultan Hussein Kamel to be awarded by Egypt for exceptional services to the nation...
, grade of Commander