Day 86: Remembered a Medal of Honor Recipient

March 25^th was National Medal of Honor Day, a holiday dedicated to members of the United States Armed Forces who have received the highest distinction awarded by the President, in the name of Congress, for valor in action against an enemy force. Unfortunately, many Americans are not even aware of this important day. I am saddened to say that I was one of those Americans.

 

After learning of National Medal of Honor Day, I wanted to research this important holiday and discover the incredible acts of bravery of the recipients. I came across a Hero who happened to be buried near my home. His name is Mr. Lewis R. Hall. Mr. Hall was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for “gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty” during an attack by Japanese forces on January 10, 1943 at Mount Austen, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands. Today, with the help of a friend, I was able to find his grave and we thanked Mr. Hall for his selfless sacrifice in protection of our freedom.

Here is his story:  “As leader of a machinegun squad charged with the protection of other battalion units, his group was attacked by a superior number of Japanese, his gunner killed, his assistant gunner wounded, and an adjoining guncrew put out of action. Ordered to withdraw from his hazardous position, he refused to retire but rushed forward to the idle gun and with the aid of another soldier who joined him and held up the machinegun by the tripod to increase its field of action he opened fire and inflicted heavy casualties upon the enemy. While so engaged both these gallant soldiers were killed, but their sturdy defense was a decisive factor in the following success of the attacking battalion.”  This excerpt was transcribed from the Congressional Medal of Honor Society website. Please visit cmohs.org to learn more about the Medal of Honor recipients.