John Hall (FFG 32) - Naval Cruise Book

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Admiral John Leslie Hall, Jr. (1891 - 1978) General Dwight D. Eisenhower gave him the nickname Viking of Assault. ' General George Patton. tough critic ot tellow military lead- ers, heaped high praise on him. He was one of the toughest and best athletes in the history of the U.S. Naval Academy. These descriptions of Admiral John L. Hall. Jr.. for whom the ship is named, were befitting of his huge frame, his daring military exploits and his prowess as an athlete. However, to Dr. Susan Hall Godson, his niece and biographer, he was a gentle giant, with more than a fair share of humility. Admiral Hall was a brilliant attack force commander of World War II and former Commander Amphibious Force. U.S. Pacific Fleet. He was the Chief of Staff of the Western Naval Task Force during the North African landings in 1942 and received the Distinguished Ser- vice Medal for opening ports and preventing sabotage while Com- mander Northwest African Sea Frontier. In February 1943. he became Commander Amphibious Force North African Waters (Eight Fleet), expertly cross-lraming Army artillerymen and Navy gunners so that his ship call-fire missions could be conducted in direct support of troop ad ance rather than fir- ing at targets of opportunity. His concept proved devastating to enemy forces and tank divisions as he led one of the major assault forces engaged in the Sicilian Occupation (9-12 July 1943) and the bitterly contested landnigs at Salerno (9-21 September 1943). These bold achievements brought him two awards of the Legion of Merit. In November 1943. he took command of the ELEVENTH Amphibious Force in England, earning the Army ' s Distinguished Service Medal for his superb leadership of his Amphibious Force O which landed and so effectively supported the Army V Corps on the Omaha beach sector off the coast of Normandy in June 1944. He received a second Navy Distinguished Ser ' ice Medal for command of the Southern Attack Force (TF 55) during the invasion throughout the Okinawa campaign. In October 1945 he became Commander Amphibious Force. U.S. Pacific Reserve Fleet. He later was Commandant of the Fourteenth Naval District and Commandant of the Armed Forces Staff College at Norfolk, Virginia. From August 1951 until his retirement in May 1953, he was Com- mander Western Sea Frontier with additional duty as Commanden Pacific Reserve Fleet. Admiral Hall was a native of Williamsburg, Virginia, and attended the College of William and Mary for three years before transferring to the U.S. Naval Academy where he graduated in 1913. He staired in ' football for three seasons at William and Mary and for four years at the Naval Academy. As a matter of fact, he excelled in three sports at the Academy and was awarded the coveted Academy Sword for Athletic excellence. Admiral Hall passed away in 197S at the age of 87. THE VIKING OF ASSAULT

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USS JOHN L. HALL FFG-32 MED DEPLOYMENT 2-92 6 MAY -6 NOV 1992 BLACK SEA - MED - RED SEA

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The History of the Johnny USS JOHN L. HALL was commissioned on June 26. 1982. Upon •ompletion of initial sea trials and refresher training. JOHN L. FIALL quickly de eloped a reputation of being a ship that was ilways ready. While conducting independent operations in the Persian Gulf in 1984. JOHN L. HALL responded to the crisis of the American Embassy bombing in Beirut. Lebanon. Stationed within sight of the ;ity. JOHN L. HALL provided anti-air defense for the fleet, a task- ng for which she was awarded a Navy Meritorious Unit Commenda- ion. From 1985 to 1987, JOHN L. HALL conducted Caribbean. Cen- ral and South American operations. She was the first 01i er Hazard erry class guided missile frigate to circumnavigate South America luring UNITAS XXVII and was named Top Operator by Com- nander. South Atlantic Forces. FFG-32 also received the Coast juard Meritorious Unit Commendation and the Special Operations support Ribbon for participation in Drug Interdiction Operations. From 1987 through 1988. JOHN L. HALL underwent major hull nodifications and system upgrades during an extended drydock peri- od in Avondale. Louisiana. In April of 1988. JOHN L. HALL was iwarded the Destroyer Squadron EIGHT Battle Efficiency E ward for total operational superiority during the previous 18 month . ' ompetitive cycle. 1989 saw JOHN L. HALL prepare once again for an extended Vlediterranean deployment. In addition to completing two Fleet Exer- :ises and Refresher Training. JOHN L. HALL participated in the lighly successful ASW operation. ROJO 1 -89. The crew also enjoyed 1 brief visit to Scotland during ROJO. Spring of 1990 was ushered in with JOHN L. HALL returning to he Mediterranean Sea. Conducting numerous anti-submarine opera- ions and participating in Sixth Fleet exercises were the order of busi- less for the men of FFG-32 until the invasion of Kuwait in August n support of Operation Desert Shield. JOHN L. HALL was called jpon to assist in interdiction operations in the Red Sea. She returned lome to a warm welcome in September and began another Selected Restricted Availability period. Completing this availability early. FF(J-32 emerged from the cocoons of scaffolding to continue her tra- Jition of excellence. JOHN L. HALL participated in numerous operations in 1991 leginning with a visit to the North Atlantic and Baltic Sea during 3ALTOPS from May through July. The crew enjoyed visits to such ■)orts as Finland. Scotland. France and Ciermany. September and October tound the Hall once again condiicliiig Drug nterdiction Operations in the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico. because of her outstanding performance during LEO-OPS. the ship was submitted for the Meritorious Unit Commendation ami the Coast Guard Special Operations Support Ribbon. Man other operations were conducted during late 1901 and early 1992. including a Fleet Exercise, m preparation for MED 2-92. On May 6. 1992. the JOHN L. H.4LL once again deployed for six months of operations and numerous port visits in the Mediterranean. Black. Aegean and Red Seas. FFG-32 found herself conducting independent operations in the Black Sea. visiting the former Communist ports ol Varna. Bulgaria, and Constanta. Romania, followed b a return to the Red Sea for con- tinued NATO interdiction operations. Following visits to Israel, Malta and .Albania, the ship spent the remainder of MED 2-92 attached to the Standing Naval Forces Mediterranean conducting Joint NATO operations off the coasts of Yugoslav ia and Italv until returning home in November. Once again the JOHN I.. H. LL has lived up to the motto she has so diligently earned. .• L V.. S VIC- TORIOUS. . . . r 0 -9 fX