The 35th Infantry Regiment Association salutes our fallen brother, SGT William J. Hale, 15359626, who died in the service of his country on September 30th, 1945 in Luzon. The cause of death was listed as Accident. At the time of his death William was 21 years of age. He was from Kokomo, Indiana.

The decorations earned by SGT William J. Hale include: the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Bronze Star, the Asiatic-Pacific Service Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal.

---

SGT Hale had served in the Fiji Islands and participated in the Battle of Luzon. He died on Luzon as a result of a fall September 30, 1945. He was from Kokomo and had been a member of the state tourney basketball team and for several years he had been city tennis champion. He is buried in the Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines.

Taken from the Non-Battle Casualty Report -- AFPAC Casualty Form "B" dated 1 November 1945.
Accidentally incurred when he fell from Jacobs ladder on to deck of a LCI while boarding ship at 0400, 28 September, 1945, at White Beach 2, San Fabian, Pang, Luzon, P.I. Died in the 37th Station Hospital, APO 70, 30 September, 1945 at 1630. Diagnosis: Minimal compression, Frac 12th dorsal vertebra, Frac, simple, complete, comminuted, with dislocation left pisiform. Wound, lacerated, left lung, severe, hemothorax.

Note: accident took place while 35th was boarding ships to leave Luzon to go to Japan for occupation duty.