World War II Honoree

Howard Bruce Hayes

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Brooklyn, New York

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

RANK: PRIVATE 1ST CLASS. HE WAS INDUCTED INTO THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS OCTOBER 27, 1943 AND ATTENDED BOOT CAMP AT THE MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT, PARRIS ISLAND, SOUTH CAROLINA. SERVED IN THE PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS ASSIGNED TO THE 1ST BATTALION, 5TH MARINES, 1ST MARINE ‘THE OLD BREED’ DIVISION. ON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 1944, HE PARTICIPATED IN THE AMPHIBIOUS LANDING IN THE BATTLE FOR PELELIU, ONE OF THE PALAU ISLANDS OF THE WESTERN PACIFIC (15 SEPTEMBER-25 NOVEMBER 1944). HE WAS KILLED IN ACTION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1944 AND WAS BURIED IN THE UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES BATTLEFIELD CEMETERY ON PELELIU. AFTER THE CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES WITH JAPAN, HIS REMAINS WERE TRANSFERRED, WITH INTERMENT IN THE MANILA AMERICAN CEMETERY LOCATED AT FORT BONIFACIO, MANILA, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. DECORATION AND CITATION: THE MARINE WAS AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART FOR HIS SUPREME SACRIFICE IN DEFENSE OF HIS COUNTRY.