World War II Honoree

Louis I. 'Doc' Hayes

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Tulsa, Oklahoma

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

ENTERED MILITARY SERVICE AFTER GRADUATING FROM HIGH SCHOOL. SERVED IN THE AMERICAN THEATER, INCLUDING AT GROTON, CONNECTICUT ON SUBMARINE DUTY AS A PHARMACIST'S MATE. AFTER TRAINING, ASSIGNED FOR DUTY AT PEARL HARBOR, TERRITORY OF HAWAII. HE WAS SERVING AS A PHARMACIST'S MATE ON DECEMBER 7, 1941, WHEN THE JAPANESE ATTACKED PEARL HARBOR WITHOUT WARNING. IN THE IMMEDIATE CHAOS FOLLOWING THE ATTACK, HE WAS ERRONEOUSLY REPORTED AS HAVING BEEN KILLED. IN REALITY, HE HAD BEEN TENDING TO THE WOUNDED AND ASSISTING IN RECOVERING BODIES FROM THE CARNAGE. HE WAS A PEARL HARBOR SURVIVOR. SERVED OVERSEAS IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER DURING THE WAR, PRINCIPALLY ABOARD SUBMARINES. AWARDED THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED WITH THE RATING OF CHIEF PHARMACIST'S MATE AND ISSUED THE WWII HONORABLE DISCHARGE LAPEL PIN.