Melvin Lester Hall
Era: World War II
Military Branch: Not Available
Mr. Hall served in World War II in the European and Pacific Theaters.
He served in the U.S. Merchant Marine, an auxiliary of the U.S. Navy during the war, from December 1941 until November 1945. His unit was responsible for supplying and moving troops.
Mr. Hall was assigned to a mine planter out of Kittery, Maine, then was transferred to the 22nd Coast Artillery Regiment (Harbor Defenses) in Fort Constitution, New Hampshire, in 1942. His ship was sent to North Africa. He traveled to New York, to the Pacific via the Panama Canal, then to the Persian Gulf with supplies, then to Russia. He traveled to southern Africa and to South America for supplies, then back to New York. Then he traveled via the Panama Canal to Australia, then to New Guinea.
Mr. Hall participated in the Invasion of Iwo Jima, with replacement troops. After the invasion, they transported troops to Hilo, Hawaii.
His ship also carried supplies to France, once for the invasion of Normandy, and once post-war in the fall of 1945 to Le Havre, after which they transported American troops home.
He worked in the ship’s engine room as a Fireman and Oiler and was responsible for evaporator maintenance.
Mr. Hall was born in 1921 to William and Gladys Hall in Duluth, Minnesota. He graduated from high school in 1939.
Source: Veterans’ Memorial Hall History Form; Veteran’s account (see below)
“I have a story. But it would be too long to be presented at this time. I will say I was on a mine planter out of Kittery, Maine. Fort Constitution 22 Coastal Artillery in 1942. Then a trip to North Africa. Sent into the Mediterranean as bait. Also went around the world, New York to Panama Canal into Pacific with supplies to the Persian Gulf and the southern route to Russia. Back to S. Africa and over to South America for supplies. Then home to New York. Next trip to Canal and over to Australia. There to New Guinea. Took part in the Iwo Jima Invasion with replacement troops. Was there until Marines were finished and then took what was left back to Hilo, Hawaii. Most of my trips we went by ourselves instead of a convoy because we could travel faster. Also made two trips to France—one with supplies for southern France invasion and in fall of 1945 I went again to bring supplies to Le Havre France and bring troops home. The war was over then.”
