Virginia shortly after the war, c. 1945. Judith L. Pearson
The Hall's 110 acre farm in Rural Maryland. Judith L. Pearson
American spy and saboteur, Virginia Hall successfully communicated intelligence from behind enemy lines in France to help defeat the Nazis during WWII. Her transmissions were key to a successful invasion of France by the Allied Forces in 1944. Despite facing gender discrimination and skeptism of her abilities due to her amputee status, as one of the first agents in France, Hall quickly established networks of informants and acted as a liaison, often hiding intelligence in her wooden leg. For her work, she received numerous awards to commemorate her service and is remembered worldwide for her legendary clandestine communication.
“Many of our men owe their liberty and even their lives [to Virginia Hall]"
- F Section memorandum, November 21, 1944 (Purnell 261)
“Her amazing personality, integrity and enthusiasm was an example and inspiration for us all. No task was too great or too small for her; and whatever she undertook she put into it all her energy, sparing herself nothing.”
- Gerry Morel, 1944 (Purnell 207)
"Les marguerites fleuriront ce soir . . . Je dis trois fois"
'The daisies will bloom tonight. I say it three times.'
- Code broadcast to Virginia Hall from BBC, July 21, 1944 (Pearson 210)