World War II Honoree

Christopher J. Hayden, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Brooklyn, New York

Honored By

The Hayden Family

HE SERVED IN THE PACIFIC THEATRE. HE STUDIED MARINE ENGINEERING AT CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA UNIVERSITY AND WAS CALLED TO THE NAVY FOR ACTIVE DUTY ON APRIL 14, 1943. HE TRIED NAVAL AVIATION, BUT SWITCHED TO SEA DUTY AS A MARINE ENGINEER. HE WAS ON THE CVE 80 PETROF BAY, WHICH WAS AN ESCORT CARRIER. HE SAW ACTION IN LEYTE LANDINGS AND LEYTE GULF AND LINGAYEN GULF LANDINGS AND ASSAULTS. HE THEN LANDED ON IWO JIMA AND OKINAWA. HE WAS IN THE SECOND BATTLE OF THE PHILIPPINE SEA. HE WAS HONORABLY DISCHARGED ON MARCH 1, 1946.