World War II Honoree

Thomas B. Hayes

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Pendelton, Oregon

Honored By

Vince Rybel

Relationship

Coworker

GRADUATED FROM OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY IN 1938 WITH A DEGREE IN ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING AND APPLIED FOR A NAVAL RESERVE COMMISSION SHORTLY AFTER PEARL HARBOR. HE WAS CALLED TO ACTIVE DUTY IN NOVEMBER 1942 AND SERVED AS AN ELECTRONICS AND RADAR INSTRUCTOR AT THE U.S. NAVAL TRAINING SCHOOL SITUATED ON THE CAMPUS OF THE MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (MIT). LATER IN THE WAR, WAS ASSIGNED TO THE USS MARBLEHEAD (CL-12) THAT WAS PART OF THE 6TH FLEET IN THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA. HE WAS ONE OF FOUR OFFICERS THAT OVERSAW OPERATIONS IN THE SHIP'S COMBAT INFORMATION CENTER (CIC). IN AUGUST 1944, THE 'MARBLEHEAD' PROVIDED NAVAL GUNFIRE SUPPORT FOR THE U.S. ARMY'S 36TH INFANTRY DIVISION DURING THE INVASION OF SOUTHERN FRANCE. DISCHARGED FROM THE NAVY IN 1945 AND RETURNED TO CORVALLIS, OREGON.