World War II Honoree

Hale Hays

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

INDUCTED INTO MILITARY SERVICE ON SEPTEMBER 28, 1941. SELECTED FOR THE ARMY AIR FORCES AVIATION CADET PROGRAM, GRADUATED IN LATE APRIL 1942, AND WAS COMMISSIONED A SECOND LIEUTENANT AND AWARDED SILVER PILOT WINGS. SERVED AS A B-29 'SUPERFORTRESS' BOMBER PILOT IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER, WHERE HE COMPLETED 30 MISSIONS. DURING A MISSION, ANOTHER AIRCRAFT IN THEIR FORMATION WAS CRIPPLED AND HIS CREW ELECTED TO REMAIN WITH IT IN AN EFFORT TO ESCORT IT BACK TO BASE. EN ROUTE, THEY CAME UNDER ENEMY ATTACK AND THE CRIPPLED PLANE WAS HIT AND EXPLODED. HIS AIRCRAFT ENGAGED THE ENEMY AND WAS FORTUNATE TO ESCAPE AND SAFELY RETURN. HONORABLY DISCHARGED WITH THE RANK OF CAPTAIN ON DECEMBER 16, 1945 AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON.