Earl Louis Hale

Extract from Ambrose's Band of Brothers:

Sgt. Earl Hale was original in HQ platoon as a radio man he was an original Toccoa private. In March 1945 Hale was brought in to be the platoon sergeant for first platoon, the majority of the men in first platoon were not happy about this because Sgt. Johnny Martin got passed over.

On January 15, 1945 Hale “was one of the first into Rachamps. He and Liebgott ducked into a barn, where they surprised and made prisoner six SS officers. Hale lined them up nose to nose and told them that if he and Liebgott got killed they were going to take the Germans with them. Hale covered them with his Tommy-gun to make the point.

A shell exploded outside. Hale was standing by the door. He got hit by a piece of shrapnel and went down. An SS officer pulled his knife from his boot and slashed Hale's throat. He failed to cut an artery or sever the windpipe, but did cut the esophagus. Blood gushed out. Liebgott shot the officer who did the cutting, then the others. Medic Roe got sulfa powder on Hale's wound. A jeep evacuated him to Luxembourg, where an amazed doctor patched him up, leaving a crooked esophagus. Because of Hale's condition, the doctor gave him a medical order stating that he did not have to wear a necktie. (Later, Hale was stopped by an irate General Patton who chewed him out for not wearing his necktie. Hale triumphantly produced his slip of paper, leaving Patton for once speechless.)”

When Sergeant Hale, “had his Bronze Star presented to him by General Eisenhower. Ike wanted to know why he was not wearing a tie. Hale explained. When General Taylor confirmed Hale's story, Ike gave his big laugh and said Hale was the only man in the entire European Theater of Operations to pull this one off.”

Obituary

Virginian-Pilot, The (Norfolk, VA) - April 9, 1999 EARL LOUIS HALE, 84, passed away April 7, 1999. Mr. Hale was retired from auto sales after many years with Green Gifford. He was a World War II veteran with service in the 101st Airborne Division. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather who will be deeply missed. Survivors include his loving wife, Kathryn Curling Hale; a son, Michael Hale; two daughters, Marsha Smith and Kathryn Woodard; six grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. A graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Monday in Woodlawn Memorial Gardens, Virginia Beach Blvd, Norfolk, Virginia.

• Reference: U.S. Social Security Death Index (SSDI) - SmartCopy: Nov 3 2018, 1:54:40 UTC
• Residence: Orleans, Louisiana, USA
  • Reference: U.S. World War II Army Enlistment - SmartCopy: Nov 3 2018, 1:55:52 UTC
• Residence: 1940 - 4219 S 10th, Adjacent to Fresno, Judicial Twp 3, Fresno, California, USA
• Race: White
  • Reference: 1940 United States Federal Census - SmartCopy: Nov 4 2018, 2:24:32 UTC
• Reference: MyHeritage Family Trees - SmartCopy: Nov 4 2018, 2:33:49 UTC
• Reference: FamilySearch Genealogy - SmartCopy: Nov 4 2018, 2:36:37 UTC