Ohio Columbus Hall – Colonel, United States Army

by

I have just arrived home in Florida after being a part of the funeral of my father Colonel Ohio Columbus Hall in Arlington National Cemetery.

This hallowed place is not new to me as my uncle William B. Hall who was killed during World War II has a marker here and my late husband John F. Long’s ashes were interred here. The tomb of the Unknowns and the men who guard it are a familiar and always awe-inspiring sight, but my father’s funeral was an overwhelming occasion.

He was buried with the full military honors that he earned in years of service to our country. The members of the Old Guard and the Chaplain (Major Horton) who presided gave a reverent and inspiring awesomeness to the proceeding that is a great comfort to me and my children.

Despite the overwhelming heat of the August day, the soldiers of the honor guard, the band, those who cared for the horses, the color guard–all gave their highest efforts and honored my father as he deserved.

My thanks and greatest gratitude to all of you there–the soldiers and the chaplain, the representatives of the cemetery, the personnel at the Old Post Chapel at Ft. Myer, the Arlington Lady and even the beautiful horses who were there as my father was laid to rest with the dignity, honor and gratitude he deserved from the country he served his entire life.

The funeral procession even passed my Uncle Billy’s marker–and I do not know if it was intentional or coincidental, but in my minds eye, I saw my father’s brother standing there saluting his brother as the prosession passed. Somehow seeing my father laid to rest in the presense of those who have also given so much for this nation, my grief is eased. Again, thank you all.

Ohio “Hi” C. Hall, 86, was a resident of Summerdale, Alabama. He was born in Ohio and raised in Georgia.

He joined the Georgia National Guard in 1941 and served in the U.S. Army through all of World War II. He served in the Pacific Theater and made the invasion of Okinawa in 1945. He then returned to California and married Barbara, who becamse his wife of 62 years. They lived in Long Beach, California where he owned his own grocery store and worked for Smart and Final Wholesale Grocers.

Hi was recalled into the Army for the KoreanWar in 1951, then spent the next 25 years in the Army finally retiring as a full Colonel. During his career he served in the Korean and Vietnam wars and was stationed in many states as well as in Korea, Vietnam, Germany and Okinawa.

When he retired from the Army, he worked as a Field Underwriter for New York Life Insurance Company.

In 1986 he fully retired and started RVing. He and Barbara traveled full time for 6 ½ years when they bought a lot and built in Rainbow Plantation, Summerdale, Alabama, where they continued to live while still enjoying travel in an RV.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Barbara, as well as six children, Diane (Alix) Hall of Melbourne, Florida; Becky Viel (her husband Larry) of Newport, North Carolina; Ernie  Hall (his wife Barbara) of Cleveland, Georgia; Linda Hall (Her husband Kevin Coogan) of New York City; Thomas  Hall (his wife April) of Boston, Massachusetts; and Victoria Green (her husband Mitch) of Wyckoff, New Jersey. He is also survived by grandchildren Larry Viel; Chris Hall; Deborah Viel; Jaime Landrum (her husband Brian) ; Justin McClure; Malinda Myers, Kristina Hall-Long; Tracey Hall; Kamaria Bullock; Forest Hall; Stephanie Green; Josh Baker; and Ashley Smith as well as 4 great grandchildren Scotty, Savion, Abigail, and Vaughn.

He was buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery August 8, 2007.

NOTE: The Colonel’s younger brother, William Bryson Hall, Private, United States Marine Corps, was killed in action at the age of 17 on Guadalcanal during World War II.

HALL, OHIO COLUMBUS

  • COL   US ARMY
  • WORLD WAR II, KOREA, VIETNAM
  • DATE OF BIRTH: 06/23/1920
  • DATE OF DEATH: 05/22/2007
  • BURIED AT: SECTION 60  SITE 276
  • ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

Read our general and most popular articles

Leave a Comment