August 26, 1944. New York Times
Normandy Beachhead, July 19, 1944. National Archives
Virginia and her colleagues’ work culminated in the full liberation of France in September, 1944.
Paris Delivered, 1944. British Pathé
"The disruption of enemy rail communications, the harassing of German road moves and the continual and increasing strain placed on German security services throughout occupied Europe by the organized forces of Resistance, played a very considerable part in our complete and final victory."
- General Dwight D. Eisenhower, May, 1945 (Morris)
Germany's Expansion During World War II, c. 1947. National Archives
From the SOE’s establishment, Hall utilized radios, codes, and broadcasts to communicate with London, broadening the Allies’ understanding of events in wartime France. Simultaneously, she facilitated communication between the agents and locals to grow networks of informants and agents who furthered the Allied Cause.
“Diane’s [Virginia’s] intervention made the proper arming of our men possible, and consequently the rapid liberation of the department . . . well in advance of the Allied columns . . . All of us . . . esteemed the complete devotion to duty and exceptional courage which Diane showed.”
- Pierre Fayol, c. December, 1944. (Purnell 530)
"Virginia with the two Americans who parachuted onto the Yssingeaux Plateau. Lieutenant Henry Riley is on the left and Lieutenant Paul Goillot is on the right. Between them is French Lieutenant Aimart." c. 1944. Judith L. Pearson
"Practically every F Section agent sent to France during this period was in touch with her, and she helped them in every possible way, providing papers, cover, etc. and looking after them when in difficulties."
-Virginia Hall personal file, November 21, 1944 (Carlomango 78)
For her invaluable service, Hall received the Croix de Guerre from France, became an honorary Member of the Order of the British Empire, and became the only civilian woman of WWII to earn the American Distinguished Service Cross.
Photograph of Virginia Hall Receiving Award, 1945. National Archives
“I personally gave her the citation, I had read her reports and was anxious to meet her, being so impressed by her great courage. But Virginia Hall’s outstanding characteristic was that she had no outstanding characteristic. Also, she was unnecessarily terse, as if she was not particularly impressed with being awarded the DSC.”
- Mary Donovan Corvo, November 1, 1992 (McIntosh 125)
CLICK HERE TO VIEW CITATION FOR DSC
“We have come to the end of an experiment. This experiment was to determine whether a group of Americans constituting of a cross section of racial origins, of abilities, of temperaments and talents could meet and risk an encounter with a long-established and well-trained enemy . . . You have made a beginning in showing the people of America that only by decisions based upon accurate information can we have the chance of a peace that will endure.”
- William J. Donovan, 1945 (McIntosh 256)
2016 Office of Strategic Services Congressional Bronze Medal. United States Mint