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West Virginia Veterans Memorial

Norman W. Hall

Norman W. Hall was born December 13, 1922 to Frank E. Hall and Colia Hall in Wakeville, McDowell County, West Virginia. By the time Frank entered the armed forces, the family had been living in Pageton, McDowell County, West Virginia.

Norman volunteered for service and was inducted into the United States Army on January 7, 1941 (eleven months before Pearl Harbor). He was sent overseas to the Pacific to serve in the Philippines as a private with the 17th Ordinance Company. He served with valor in the Philippines throughout the Japanese invasion, but was captured as a prisoner of war in 1942 when Bataan fell and the troops were forced to surrender to the invading army.

Norman was held as a prisoner of war in the Philippines for two years. While being transported to Japan on the Arisan Maru, Fred lost his life on October 24, 1944 when the unmarked ship was torpedoed by an Allied submarine in the South China Sea. His death was received by the War Department on June 16, 1945.

Norman was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and his body was buried at sea. In recognition of his honorable service in World War II, and for his ultimate sacrifice, Norman W. Hall's name is inscribed on the Tablets of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery in Manila, Philippines, and Norman's was one of the original names inscribed on the West Virginia Veterans Memorial.


Hellships of World War II

West Virginia Veterans Memorial Archives Database

West Virginia Archives and History

West Virginia Archives and History