World War II Honoree

Rawleigh Cecil Hayes

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Boles, Arkansas

Honored By

Cmdr Onedia Hayes Sylvest, USN (Ret)

Relationship

Daughter

RECEIVED A PURPLE HEART, A BRONZE STAR, WWII VICTORY MEDAL, COMBAT MEDICAL BADGE. INJURED WHEN THE 39TH INFANTRY REGIMENT MET AFRIKA KORPS. WAS SENT TO CAMP GRANT, ILLINOIS AND TRAINED AS MEDIC AND ATTACHED TO THE 9TH INFANTRY DIVISION, 39TH INFANTRY HEADQUARTERS COMPANY, MEDICAL DETACHMENT AND LATER TO AN ANTI-TANK COMPANY. THE 39TH INFANTRY, SERVED IN ALGERIA-FRENCH MOROCCO AND TUNISIA. FIRST AMERICAN SOLDIERS TO LAND ON FOREIGN SOIL IN WWII WHEN THEY LANDED IN ALGIERS, NORTH AFRICA ON NOVEMBER 8, 1942. INJURED BY GERMAN SHELL BLAST ON APRIL 3, 1943 DURING THE 4 MONTH LONG BATTLE NEAR THE KASSERINE PASS. ONCE HEALED, WAS ASSIGNED TO LIMITED SERVICE, HELPED HAUL SUPPLIES BY RAIL. HE WAS INJURED AGAIN IN A TRAIN WRECK. SPENT REST OF WAR IN THE 178TH MILITARY POLICE COMPANY, MILITARY RAILWAY SERVICE IN GROSSETO, ITALY.