Marine veteran who served in three wars honored at MCRD San Diego

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — A Marine veteran who served in three wars was honored Friday during a graduation ceremony for approximately 600 Marines at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego.

Billy Hall graduated 83 years ago from boot camp. He returned to the very place where his military career started at MCRD San Diego before he saw combat action in World War II, Korea and Vietnam.

The retired major, now 98 years young, was honored during a colors ceremony Friday morning.

The commanding general of MCRD San Diego spoke about Hall’s honor, courage and commitment.

“I started out in the Marine Corps back in 1941 as a $21-a-month private and so I did two tours of duty in the Marine Corps,” Hall said. “I flew in the back seat of the old SBD dive bomber and later on a torpedo bomber.”

According to the official website of the U.S. Marine Corps , by age 17, Hall had flown more than 100 combat missions and, in 1945, completed 50 TBF anti-submarine and enemy shipping patrol missions.

Hall joined the California National Guard in 1948 and was deployed to Korea as an Army infantry and communications officer in 1951, according to the USMC.

Then, Hall spent nine months in Vietnam, playing a critical role as a helicopter pilot during insertion, extraction, supply and medical evacuation missions.

Hall has received numerous accolades for his service including the Bronze Star, Combat Infantryman Badge, World War II Victory Medal and more.

Hall is believed to be the last living veteran who enlisted into the Marine Corps before the attack on Pearl Harbor. He served his country from 1941 to 1967.

FOX 5/KUSI reporter Elizabeth Alvarez contributed to this report.

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