BRIEFING DOCUMENT: James Ray Hall

Subject: Life and Military Service of James Ray Hall

Date: October 26, 2023

Introduction: This document summarizes the life and military service of James Ray Hall, based on the provided biographical information. The narrative covers his birth, family, early life, marriage, and his ultimately tragic military service in World War II.

Key Themes & Facts:

Early Life & Family:

James Ray Hall was born on September 19, 1918, in Richland Springs, San Saba County, Texas.

His parents were Odessa Mae Skaggs and James Mathew Hall, both also from Richland Springs.

Odessa Mae Skaggs was 28 at his birth and James Mathew Hall was 33.

The family remained in the San Saba County area until at least 1935

He appears in the 1920 census at age 1, living in San Saba County with his parents.

By the 1930 Census, he was 11 and living in Richland Springs with his parents and a sister

In 1935, the family was still residing in R San Saba County, Texas.

Marriage and Early Adulthood:

James Ray Hall married Dorothy Ruth Grand on November 30, 1938, in Airon, Iowa.

The 1940 census records him at age 21, living in Hurley, Grant County, New Mexico with his parents and a sister, working as a plumber's helper. This indicates the family moved to New Mexico sometime between 1935 and 1940.

Military Service:

Hall enlisted in the Regular Army Calvary as a private on October 16, 1940, at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. The text notes he was divorced at that time.

He was assigned an Army Service Number (ASN) of 06269685 and his military record indicates that he had four years of high school education.

He was assigned to the 429th Aviation Signal Company.

Hall was a lineman for his civilian occupation according to army records.

It is probable that his unit was stationed at Clark Field, Philippines.

Death and Repatriation:

Hall was killed in action on February 13, 1942, fighting against Japanese forces on the Bataan Peninsula, Luzon, Philippines, indicating he was caught in the intense fighting after the Japanese invasion.

The text indicates he was part of American and Filipino forces withdrawing from Clark Field to the Bataan Peninsula, suggesting he was involved in a desperate defense against the Japanese advance.

He was initially buried in a temporary grave.

In 1949, his remains were repatriated to the United States.

He was reinterred at the Richland Springs Cemetery in Richland Springs, Texas, on April 28, 1949.

Important Quotes:

“Private Ray Hall 06269685 US Army 429th Aviation Signal Company was probably stationed at Clark Field , Philippines.”

“Private Hall was killed on 13 February 1942 fighting against the enemy Japanese forces on the Bataan Peninsula, Luzon, Philippines.”

"...his remains were repatriated to America and reinterred in the Richland Springs Cemetery at Richland Springs, San Saba County, Texas on Thursday 28 April 1949."

"Ray Hall asn-06269685 a divorced white male born Texas in 1917 residing in Bexar County, Texas working as a lineman with four years of high school education reenlisted from the Regular Army Calvary as a private at Ft Sam Houston, Texas on 16 October 1940."

Analysis:

The information paints a picture of a young man whose life was cut short by war. From a Texan background, with deep roots in the Richland Springs community, James Ray Hall's life took him from plumber's helper in New Mexico to a soldier fighting in the Pacific theater. The move from rural Texas, his brief time as a married man, his work as a plumber's helper, and his enlistment in the army tell a story of a life impacted by the events of the time and a tragic end during the early years of WWII. His ultimate repatriation and reburial in his hometown highlights the family's connection to him and a story shared by thousands of families who lost soldiers during the war.

Conclusion: James Ray Hall’s story represents the lives touched and lost by the global conflict of World War II, specifically highlighting the fierce battles of the Pacific. This summary of the available information provides a glimpse into the life of a man who served his country and ultimately gave his life during his time in the army.