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==Legacy==
==Legacy==
* The 1997 GI Joe Classic Collection Tuskegee Bomber Pilot (WWII Forces Collection GI Joe Limited Edition) featured Hall.<ref> Black Doll Collecting by Debbie Behan Garrett @blackdollcollecting.blogspot.com https://blackdollcollecting.blogspot.com/2010/10/gi-joe-tuskegee-airmen.html </ref>
* On June 18, 2002, the Tinker Heritage Airpark was renamed the Major Charles B. Hall Airpark in his honor.<ref> TINKER AIR FORCE BASE "Charles B. Hall Airpark." https://www.tinker.af.mil/About-Us/Charles-B-Hall-Air-Park/ </ref>
* On June 18, 2002, the Tinker Heritage Airpark was renamed the Major Charles B. Hall Airpark in his honor.<ref> TINKER AIR FORCE BASE "Charles B. Hall Airpark." https://www.tinker.af.mil/About-Us/Charles-B-Hall-Air-Park/ </ref>
* In August 2009, Hall's hometown of [[Brazil, Indiana]] dedicated a monument to Hall. Its inscription reads:
<blockquote> "Major Charles B. Hall - 08-25-1920 to 11-22-1971 - Brazil native and World War II Hero, Mr. Hall became a member of the Tuskegee Airmen. Mr. Hall was one of the first 43 African American pilots assigned to combat duty with the 99th Pursuit Squadron 332d Fighter Group (the Red Tails). On July 2, 1943 Lt. Hall earned the Distinguished Flying Cross for shooting down a German Focke-Wulf 190 during a mission over [Panelleria, Tunisia, North Africa]. In doing so, he became the first African-American pilot to earn official credit for destroying an enemy airplane in the Second World War. After retiring as a Major in the Air Force, he resided in Oklahoma City until his death in 1971. The airplane above is a replica of the P-40 flown by Major Hall in 1943."<ref> Black Doll Collecting by Debbie Behan Garrett @blackdollcollecting.blogspot.com https://blackdollcollecting.blogspot.com/2010/10/gi-joe-tuskegee-airmen.html </ref> </blockquote>


==See also==
==See also==

Revision as of 23:34, 22 July 2021

Charles B. Hall
Born
Charles Blakesly Hall

August 25, 1920
Brazil, Indiana, US
DiedNovember 22, 1971(1971-11-22) (aged 51)
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, US
Resting placeSpencer, Oklahoma - Hillcrest Memorial Gardens
Occupations
  • Military officer
  • fighter pilot

Charles Blakesly Hall (August 25, 1920 - November 22, 1971) was an U.S. Army Air Force/U.S. Air Force officer and an iconic, highly decorated combat fighter pilot with the 332nd Fighter Group's 99th Fighter Squadron, best known as the Tuskegee Airmen or "Red Tails".[1][2] He was one of 1,007 documented Tuskegee Airmen Pilots.[3]

On July 3, 1943 during a bomber escort mission to Castelvetrano, Hall became the first African American combat fighter pilot to shoot down an enemy aircraft.[4] Hall's victory was the 99th Fighter Squadron's sole aerial victory in 1943.[5] General Dwight D. Eisenhower personally met and congratulated Hall on his valiant exploits.[6][7] Hall also became the first African American combat fighter pilot to earn the Distinguished Flying Cross.[8][9]

Early Life, Education, Family

Hall was born on August 25, 1920 at his parents home on 742 N. Columbia Street in rural Brazil, Indiana, Clay County.[10] [11] He was the son of Mississippi native Franklin Hall, a kiln-burner, and Mississippi native Anna Blakesly Hall.[12]

Hall was a 1938 graduate of Brazil High School, where he excelled in academics, football and track and field.[13] [14][15] Hall attended Eastern Illinois University, majoring in Pre-Medicine. While at Eastern Illinois, Hall participated in sport and worked as a waiter.[16]

On December 14, 1942, Hall married Maxine Jessie Parish Hall, a stenographer, in Vigo County, Indiana. Though there are no documented information on Hall's marriage and likely divorce to Maxine, Hall later remarried Lola Delois Miles Hall (February 18, 1933 - August 7, 1997), an Oklahoma City, Oklahoma native. They were married until Hall's death on November 22, 1971.[17][18] The Halls had two children, Kelli Jones and Sherri Harris.[19]

Military Career, Tuskegee Airmen

In 1941, Hall enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps as an aviation cadet, Serial number 0790457, at Fort Benjamin Harrison in Lawrence, Indiana.[20] [21] In 1942, the U.S. Army Air Corps sent Hall to Tuskegee, Alabama to attend Advanced Flight Cadet Training at the Tuskegee Army Airfield.[22] On July 3, 1942, Hall graduated from the program's fourth-ever Cadet Class Single Engine Section SE-42-F, earning his wings and a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant.[23] The U.S. Army Air Corps assigned Hall to the 332nd Fighter Group's 99th Fighter Squadron.[24] Hall was briefly assigned to the 324th Fighter Group.[25]

During World War II, Hall flew 198 missions over North Africa, Italy, the Mediterranean and Europe.[26]

On his eighth mission in World War II's European Theater/Mediterranean Theater on July 2, 1943, Hall and his squadron escorted B-25 medium bombers on a raid on Castelvetrano Airfield in southwestern Sicily, Italy.[27] Flying in a P-40, Hall downed an enemy German Focke-Wulf Fw 190 Würger. Hall became first African American combat fighter pilot to obtain a victory against enemy aircraft.[28] Hall's victory was the 99th Fighter Squadron's sole aerial victory in 1943.[29]

Hall became the first African American fighter pilot to earn the Distinguished Flying Cross.[30] He became an immediate favorite with the African American press. On July 10, 1943, Pittsburgh Courier war correspondent Edgar T. Rouzeau ran a lead that celebrated Hall’s July 2, 1943 aerial victory.[31] The Courier‘s piece with a massive headline, “99th PILOT DOWNS NAZI PLANE”, featured editorial cartoonist Sam Milai's compelling cartoon depiction of Hall in his flight gear.[32] Other African American publications including the Baltimore-based Afro-American, the Chicago Defender, the New York Amsterdam News, the Atlanta Daily World ran similar leads highlighting Hall's exploits.[33] General Dwight Eisenhower, who was visiting troops in the region with senior military leadership, visited the 99th Fighter Squadron to personally congratulated Hall.[34] Major General John K. Cannon, Commanding General, Twelfth Air Force, also personally congratulated Hall.[35]

On January 27 and 28, 1944 in Anzio, Italy, large formations of German FW 190s raided Anzio. The 99th Squadron downed eleven enemy German aircraft. Now a Captain, Hall downed two German FW 190s, raising his aerial victories to three.[36] Hall earned the Distinguished Flying Cross for his valiant achievements.[37]

Hall was only one of nine 332nd Fighter Group pilots with at least three confirmed kills during World War II:

  • Joseph Elsberry - 332nd Fighter Group's 301st Fighter Squadron - 4 Confirmed Kills, 1 Possible
  • Edward L. Toppins - 332nd Fighter Group's 99th Fighter Squadron - 4 Confirmed Kills, 1 Possible
  • Lee Archer (pilot) - 332nd Fighter Group's 302nd Fighter Squadron - 4 Confirmed Kills
  • Leonard M. Jackson - 332nd Fighter Group's 99th Fighter Squadron - 3 Confirmed Kills
  • Clarence D. Lester - 332nd Fighter Group's 100th Fighter Squadron - 3 Confirmed Kills
  • Wendell O. Pruitt - 332nd Fighter Group's 302nd Fighter Squadron - 3 Confirmed Kills
  • Roger Romine - 332nd Fighter Group's 302nd Fighter Squadron - 3 Confirmed Kill, 1 Unconfirmed
  • Harry Stewart, Jr. - 332nd Fighter Group's 301st Fighter Squadron - 3 Confirmed Kills

Later in 1944, Hall arrived back in the United States, traveling extensively on an official tour to ramp up the sale of war bonds.[38] Hall later returned to Tuskegee, becoming a flight instructor. In 1946, Hall left the U.S. Army Air Corps with the rank of Major.[39][40]

Post-Military

After leaving the military, Hall moved to Chicago where he worked as an insurance agent.[41] In 1948, Hall moved to Oklahoma where he briefly worked at a drug store. In 1949, Hall worked at Tinker Air Force Base until 1967 before landing a role at the Federal Aviation Administration in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.[42][43] He later became a well-known insurance agent in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.[44]

Death

Hall passed away on November 22, 1971 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He was only 51 years old.[45] Hall was interred at Spencer, Oklahoma's Hillcrest Memorial Gardens in the Garden of Devotion section, Lot 160, Section B, Grave #3.[46][47] The local paper made little mention of Hall's history in World War II.[48]

Legacy

  • The 1997 GI Joe Classic Collection Tuskegee Bomber Pilot (WWII Forces Collection GI Joe Limited Edition) featured Hall.[49]
  • On June 18, 2002, the Tinker Heritage Airpark was renamed the Major Charles B. Hall Airpark in his honor.[50]
  • In August 2009, Hall's hometown of Brazil, Indiana dedicated a monument to Hall. Its inscription reads:

"Major Charles B. Hall - 08-25-1920 to 11-22-1971 - Brazil native and World War II Hero, Mr. Hall became a member of the Tuskegee Airmen. Mr. Hall was one of the first 43 African American pilots assigned to combat duty with the 99th Pursuit Squadron 332d Fighter Group (the Red Tails). On July 2, 1943 Lt. Hall earned the Distinguished Flying Cross for shooting down a German Focke-Wulf 190 during a mission over [Panelleria, Tunisia, North Africa]. In doing so, he became the first African-American pilot to earn official credit for destroying an enemy airplane in the Second World War. After retiring as a Major in the Air Force, he resided in Oklahoma City until his death in 1971. The airplane above is a replica of the P-40 flown by Major Hall in 1943."[51]

See also

References

  1. ^ CAF Rise Above. "Charles Blakeley Hall."https://cafriseabove.org/charles-b-hall/
  2. ^ Tuskegee Airmen Museum. "Tuskegee Airmen profiles: Captain Charles B. Hall." https://www.tuskegeemuseum.org/tuskegee-airmen-profiles-captain-charles-b-hall/
  3. ^ "Tuskegee Airmen Pilot Roster". CAF Rise Above. CAF Rise Above. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  4. ^ Face to Face Africa. "HISTORY: Charles Hall, the first African-American pilot to shoot down a Nazi plane on this day in 1943." MILDRED EUROPA TAYLOR | Head of Content. July 02, 2021. https://face2faceafrica.com/article/charles-hall-the-first-african-american-pilot-to-shoot-down-a-nazi-plane-on-this-day-in-1943
  5. ^ Aces of WWII. "The Tuskegee Airmen." https://acesofww2.com/tuskegee/
  6. ^ CAF Rise Above. "Charles Blakeley Hall."https://cafriseabove.org/charles-b-hall/
  7. ^ Tuskegee Airmen Museum. "Tuskegee Airmen profiles: Captain Charles B. Hall." https://www.tuskegeemuseum.org/tuskegee-airmen-profiles-captain-charles-b-hall/
  8. ^ Tuskegee Airmen Museum. "Tuskegee Airmen profiles: Captain Charles B. Hall." https://www.tuskegeemuseum.org/tuskegee-airmen-profiles-captain-charles-b-hall/
  9. ^ Tuskegee Airmen Museum. "Tuskegee Airmen profiles: Captain Charles B. Hall." https://www.tuskegeemuseum.org/tuskegee-airmen-profiles-captain-charles-b-hall/
  10. ^ This day in Aviation. "2 July 1943." https://www.thisdayinaviation.com/tag/charles-b-hall/
  11. ^ Face to Face Africa. "HISTORY: Charles Hall, the first African-American pilot to shoot down a Nazi plane on this day in 1943." MILDRED EUROPA TAYLOR | Head of Content. July 02, 2021. https://face2faceafrica.com/article/charles-hall-the-first-african-american-pilot-to-shoot-down-a-nazi-plane-on-this-day-in-1943
  12. ^ Face to Face Africa. "HISTORY: Charles Hall, the first African-American pilot to shoot down a Nazi plane on this day in 1943." MILDRED EUROPA TAYLOR | Head of Content. July 02, 2021. https://face2faceafrica.com/article/charles-hall-the-first-african-american-pilot-to-shoot-down-a-nazi-plane-on-this-day-in-1943
  13. ^ CAF Rise Above. "Charles Blakeley Hall."https://cafriseabove.org/charles-b-hall/
  14. ^ This day in Aviation. "2 July 1943." https://www.thisdayinaviation.com/tag/charles-b-hall/
  15. ^ World War II on Deadline. "TUSKEGEE AIRMEN: CHARLES B. HALL RECORDS 99TH’S FIRST VICTORY." Marc Lancaster. Posted July 2, 2020.
  16. ^ Face to Face Africa. "HISTORY: Charles Hall, the first African-American pilot to shoot down a Nazi plane on this day in 1943." MILDRED EUROPA TAYLOR | Head of Content. July 02, 2021. https://face2faceafrica.com/article/charles-hall-the-first-african-american-pilot-to-shoot-down-a-nazi-plane-on-this-day-in-1943
  17. ^ Tuskegee Airmen Museum. "Tuskegee Airmen profiles: Captain Charles B. Hall." https://www.tuskegeemuseum.org/tuskegee-airmen-profiles-captain-charles-b-hall/
  18. ^ Face to Face Africa. "HISTORY: Charles Hall, the first African-American pilot to shoot down a Nazi plane on this day in 1943." MILDRED EUROPA TAYLOR | Head of Content. July 02, 2021. https://face2faceafrica.com/article/charles-hall-the-first-african-american-pilot-to-shoot-down-a-nazi-plane-on-this-day-in-1943
  19. ^ World War II on Deadline. "TUSKEGEE AIRMEN: CHARLES B. HALL RECORDS 99TH’S FIRST VICTORY." Marc Lancaster. Posted July 2, 2020.
  20. ^ This day in Aviation. "2 July 1943." https://www.thisdayinaviation.com/tag/charles-b-hall/
  21. ^ Face to Face Africa. "HISTORY: Charles Hall, the first African-American pilot to shoot down a Nazi plane on this day in 1943." MILDRED EUROPA TAYLOR | Head of Content. July 02, 2021. https://face2faceafrica.com/article/charles-hall-the-first-african-american-pilot-to-shoot-down-a-nazi-plane-on-this-day-in-1943
  22. ^ Face to Face Africa. "HISTORY: Charles Hall, the first African-American pilot to shoot down a Nazi plane on this day in 1943." MILDRED EUROPA TAYLOR | Head of Content. July 02, 2021. https://face2faceafrica.com/article/charles-hall-the-first-african-american-pilot-to-shoot-down-a-nazi-plane-on-this-day-in-1943
  23. ^ CAF Rise Above. "Tuskegee Airmen Pilot Roster." https://cafriseabove.org/the-tuskegee-airmen/tuskegee-airmen-pilot-roster/ . This data derives from CAF Rise Above's research project compiling data from Tuskegee Airmen historians including the Air Force Historical Research Agency.
  24. ^ Face to Face Africa. "HISTORY: Charles Hall, the first African-American pilot to shoot down a Nazi plane on this day in 1943." MILDRED EUROPA TAYLOR | Head of Content. July 02, 2021. https://face2faceafrica.com/article/charles-hall-the-first-african-american-pilot-to-shoot-down-a-nazi-plane-on-this-day-in-1943
  25. ^ This day in Aviation. "2 July 1943." https://www.thisdayinaviation.com/tag/charles-b-hall/
  26. ^ Tuskegee Airmen Museum. "Tuskegee Airmen profiles: Captain Charles B. Hall." https://www.tuskegeemuseum.org/tuskegee-airmen-profiles-captain-charles-b-hall/
  27. ^ Aces of WWII. "The Tuskegee Airmen." https://acesofww2.com/tuskegee/
  28. ^ Face to Face Africa. "HISTORY: Charles Hall, the first African-American pilot to shoot down a Nazi plane on this day in 1943." MILDRED EUROPA TAYLOR | Head of Content. July 02, 2021. https://face2faceafrica.com/article/charles-hall-the-first-african-american-pilot-to-shoot-down-a-nazi-plane-on-this-day-in-1943
  29. ^ Aces of WWII. "The Tuskegee Airmen." https://acesofww2.com/tuskegee/
  30. ^ Tuskegee Airmen Museum. "Tuskegee Airmen profiles: Captain Charles B. Hall." https://www.tuskegeemuseum.org/tuskegee-airmen-profiles-captain-charles-b-hall/
  31. ^ World War II on Deadline. "TUSKEGEE AIRMEN: CHARLES B. HALL RECORDS 99TH’S FIRST VICTORY." Marc Lancaster. Posted July 2, 2020.
  32. ^ World War II on Deadline. "TUSKEGEE AIRMEN: CHARLES B. HALL RECORDS 99TH’S FIRST VICTORY." Marc Lancaster. Posted July 2, 2020.
  33. ^ World War II on Deadline. "TUSKEGEE AIRMEN: CHARLES B. HALL RECORDS 99TH’S FIRST VICTORY." Marc Lancaster. Posted July 2, 2020.
  34. ^ CAF Rise Above. "Charles Blakeley Hall."https://cafriseabove.org/charles-b-hall/
  35. ^ CAF Rise Above. "Charles Blakeley Hall."https://cafriseabove.org/charles-b-hall/
  36. ^ Tuskegee Airmen Museum. "Tuskegee Airmen profiles: Captain Charles B. Hall." https://www.tuskegeemuseum.org/tuskegee-airmen-profiles-captain-charles-b-hall/
  37. ^ Tuskegee Airmen Museum. "Tuskegee Airmen profiles: Captain Charles B. Hall." https://www.tuskegeemuseum.org/tuskegee-airmen-profiles-captain-charles-b-hall/
  38. ^ World War II on Deadline. "TUSKEGEE AIRMEN: CHARLES B. HALL RECORDS 99TH’S FIRST VICTORY." Marc Lancaster. Posted July 2, 2020.
  39. ^ Together We Served. "Roll of Honor - U.S. Army - Deceased - Hall, Charles B, MAJ https://army.togetherweserved.com/army/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=ShadowBoxProfile&type=Person&ID=303901
  40. ^ World War II on Deadline. "TUSKEGEE AIRMEN: CHARLES B. HALL RECORDS 99TH’S FIRST VICTORY." Marc Lancaster. Posted July 2, 2020.
  41. ^ CAF Rise Above. "Charles Blakeley Hall."https://cafriseabove.org/charles-b-hall/
  42. ^ Tuskegee Airmen Museum. "Tuskegee Airmen profiles: Captain Charles B. Hall." https://www.tuskegeemuseum.org/tuskegee-airmen-profiles-captain-charles-b-hall/
  43. ^ World War II on Deadline. "TUSKEGEE AIRMEN: CHARLES B. HALL RECORDS 99TH’S FIRST VICTORY." Marc Lancaster. Posted July 2, 2020.
  44. ^ Together We Served. "Roll of Honor - U.S. Army - Deceased - Hall, Charles B, MAJ https://army.togetherweserved.com/army/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=ShadowBoxProfile&type=Person&ID=303901
  45. ^ World War II on Deadline. "TUSKEGEE AIRMEN: CHARLES B. HALL RECORDS 99TH’S FIRST VICTORY." Marc Lancaster. Posted July 2, 2020.
  46. ^ Together We Served. "Roll of Honor - U.S. Army - Deceased - Hall, Charles B, MAJ https://army.togetherweserved.com/army/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=ShadowBoxProfile&type=Person&ID=303901
  47. ^ Tuskegee Airmen Museum. "Tuskegee Airmen profiles: Captain Charles B. Hall." https://www.tuskegeemuseum.org/tuskegee-airmen-profiles-captain-charles-b-hall/
  48. ^ World War II on Deadline. "TUSKEGEE AIRMEN: CHARLES B. HALL RECORDS 99TH’S FIRST VICTORY." Marc Lancaster. Posted July 2, 2020.
  49. ^ Black Doll Collecting by Debbie Behan Garrett @blackdollcollecting.blogspot.com https://blackdollcollecting.blogspot.com/2010/10/gi-joe-tuskegee-airmen.html
  50. ^ TINKER AIR FORCE BASE "Charles B. Hall Airpark." https://www.tinker.af.mil/About-Us/Charles-B-Hall-Air-Park/
  51. ^ Black Doll Collecting by Debbie Behan Garrett @blackdollcollecting.blogspot.com https://blackdollcollecting.blogspot.com/2010/10/gi-joe-tuskegee-airmen.html
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