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U.S. Naval Hospital Unit of Bilibid Prison, Manila, Philippines – Report of Death – Alton H. Hall
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Bilibid Prison Record 12-10-44: Information received this date from the Japanese authorities that on November 19, 1944, the following named U.S. Navy enlisted man died at Fort Wm. McKinley Hospital: HALL, Alton H., EM1c USN, Ser. No. 356 01 16 (formerly attached to USS CANOPUS) cause of death: Malnutrition, beriberi. Source: Kentner’s Journal Bilibid Prison, Manila, P.I. from 12-8-41 to 2-5-45 by Pharmacist Mate, Robert W. Kentner, page 119.

Alton was buried in the Sakura Prison Camp No. 24 (Ft McKinley), “about 400 yards northwest of camp, just north of the road north of camp that ran mainly east and west”. After the war his remains were disinterred and brought to 7747 USAF Cemetery, Manila #2, Philippine Islands where they were reburied. The deceased in Manila #2 (over 11,000 American soldiers) rested there until their removal to the American Graves Registration Service Manila Mausoleum in the summer of 1948. From there, according to the wishes of his next of kin, EM 1st Class Alton Henry Hall’s remains were brought back to the US and he was buried on 05 January 1949 in his final resting place in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery  - Plot T, Row 0, Grave 14.
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Alton Henry Hall
Service #: 35601116
Rank: Electrician's Mate, First Class
Unit: U.S. Navy
Entered Service From: Texas
Date of Death: November 19, 1944, Sakura Prison Camp # 24 (Ft. McKinley), Pasay, Luzon, Philippines of beriberi and starvation.
Buried: Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery  - Plot T, Row 0, Grave 14

1930 United States Federal Census (22 April 1930): Comanche, Comanche County, Texas (sheet 9B, family 215, 211 Highway No 10) - Alton H. Hall (14 Texas)

Alton H. Hall enlisted in the U.S. Navy on 13 November 1936 in Dallas, Texas.

U.S. World War II Navy Muster Rolls: 31 March 1939 – U.S.S. Tulsa (PG-22) – Sea 1c Alton H. Hall (S/N 356-01-16) – enlisted 13 November 1936; first received on board 05 May 1938.

U.S. World War II Navy Muster Rolls: 30 November 1939 – Receiving Station, Cavite, P.I. – EM 3c Alton Henry Hall (S/N 356-01-16) – enlisted 13 November 1936, Dallas, Texas; received 25 November 1939 from U.S. S. Tulsa.

U.S. World War II Navy Muster Rolls: 29 February 1940 – Receiving Station, Cavite, P.I. – EM 3c Alton Henry Hall (S/N 356-01-16) – enlisted 13 November 1936, Dallas, Texas; transferred 03 February 1940 to U.S. S. Tulsa.

U.S. World War II Navy Muster Rolls: 01 May 1940 – U.S. S. Tulsa sailing from Swatow, China to Amoy, China – EM 3c Alton Henry Hall (S/N 356-01-16) – enlisted 13 November 1936, Dallas, Texas; transferred U.S. S. Tulsa to U.S. S. Canopus.

U.S. World War II Navy Muster Rolls: 31 December 1940 – U.S.S. Perch (SS-176) – Em2c Alton H. Hall (S/N 356-01-16) – enlisted 13 November 1936, Dallas, Texas; received 07 December 1940 from U.S.S. Canopus for duty.

U.S. World War II Navy Muster Rolls: 28 February 1941 – U.S.S. Perch (SS-176) – Em2c Alton H. Hall (S/N 356-01-16) – enlisted 13 November 1936, Dallas, Texas; transferred 07 February 1941 to U.S.S. Canopus (AS-9) for duty.

U.S. World War II Navy Muster Rolls: 31 March 1942 – U.S.S. Canopus (AS-9) – Em2c Alton H. Hall (S/N 356-01-16) – enlisted 13 November 1936; first received on board 07 February 1941.

On 7 December 1941, the Canopus, lay at Cavite Navy Yard, as tender to Submarine Squadron 20. In the days that followed, her men worked day and night to repair ships damaged in the daily air raids as well as to keep her brood of submarines at sea. With the Army falling back on Manila, Canopus sailed to Mariveles Bay at the tip of Bataan on Christmas Day. On 29 December 1941 she received severe damage when hit by a Japanese 500-pound armor-piercing bomb that penetrated the decks and exploded on the propeller shaft housing. Six sailors were killed mostly from scalding and fires started in the engine rooms and magazines another six wounded. "The officers in charge of the engine room, Machinist Hutchinson and Electrician Hall, were both badly wounded by the blast".

Her crew became part of the defense of Bataan and Corregidor. The Canopus was scuttled 09 April off Mariveles rather than face capture by the enemy. Many of the crew were evacuated to Corregidor and served in the 4th Marine Regiment's during the final battle for the island fortress. They were captured at the fall of Corregidor and spent the rest of the war in Japanese POW Camps in the Philippines.

Friday, 14 May 1943 – Listed as Jap Prisoner – Alton Henry Hall, electrician’s mate, second class, U.S. Navy, son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Augustus Hall, Comanche, was listed by the Navy Department Thursday as a prisoner of war held by the Japanese. The list includes the names of 1,044 United States Navy personnel held by the Japanese, mostly in the Philippines Islands.

Death of Navy Man Confirmed

The death of Alton Hall, U.S. Navy, son of Mr. and Mrs. H. A. Hall of Comanche, who previously been reported a prisoner of war by the Navy Department and by private sources as dead is now officially listed as dead according to a letter received recently by his father from the Navy Department.

Young Hall, who was reared in this community, served in the Navy seven years and was taken prisoner by the Japs at Corregidor.

The letter to the father from H. B. Atkinson, Commander, USNR, Officer in Charge, Casualty Section, Navy Department, follows:

Your son, Alton Henry Hall, Electrician’s Mate first class, United States Navy has been carried on the official records of the Navy Department as a prisoner of war in the Philippine Islands.

It is now with deep regret that this Bureau now informs you that your son died of Beri-beri on 19 November 1944, while held as a prisoner of war in a Japanese Prisoner of War Camp, Philippine Islands. This information concerning his death was obtained from Japanese records and from prisoners of war in the Philippine Islands who have since been liberated.

The various agencies of the government having jurisdiction over the settlement of death benefits have been properly advised so that forms upon which to file claims for such benefits as may be due will be forward to you.

The Navy Department extends sincere sympathy to you in your great sorrow and hopes that you may find some comfort in the knowledge that your son gave his life in the service of his country. Source: The Comanche Chief (Comanche, Comanche County, Texas), 06 July 1945, page 1.

EM1c Alton H. Hall Report of Death
Source: PHILIPPINES Ft_McKinley_Sakura_Prison_Hospital_RG407Bx47 Records; Philippine Archives Collection