World War II Honoree

Francis William Hayden

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Brooklyn, New York

Honored By

Bruce W. Hayden

Relationship

Son

HE ENLISTED ON 12/18/41 SHORTLY AFTER PEARL HARBOR ATTACK. HE FIRST SERVED IN THE ATLANTIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS ABOARD PATROL CRAFT YP-62 AT THE NAVAL AIR STATION IN ARGENTIA, NEWFOUNDLAND. HE WAS THEN PART OF THE ORIGINAL CREW THAT COMMISSIONED THE DESTROYER USS MERTZ DD-691 AND SPENT 22 MONTHS IN THE PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS. THE MERTZ TOOK PART IN THE BATTLES OF LEYTE GULF AND SAIPAN AND WAS PART OF THE AMERICAN OCCUPATION FORCE IN JAPAN AFTER THE SURRENDER. HE WAS HONORABLY DISCHARGED ON OCTOBER 14, 1945.