World War II Honoree

Ernest C. Hayes

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Nashville, Georgia

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

RANK: PRIVATE 1ST CLASS. HE WAS INDUCTED INTO THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS NOVEMBER 3, 1943 AND COMPLETED BASIC COMBAT TRAINING AT THE MARINE RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA. SERVED IN THE PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS ASSIGNED TO DELTA COMPANY, 1ST BATTALION, 26TH MARINES, 5TH MARINE ‘THE SPEARHEAD/FIGHTING FIFTH’ DIVISION. HE PARTICIPATED IN THE BATTLE OF IWO JIMA (FEBRUARY 19-MARCH 26, 1945) CODE NAME: OPERATION DETACHMENT. ON SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 1945 HE WAS KILLED IN ACTION AND BURIED IN THE FIFTH MARINE DIVISION BATTLEFIELD CEMETERY ON IWO. AFTER THE CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES WITH JAPAN, HIS REMAINS WERE RETURNED TO HIS FAMILY, WITH INTERMENT IN THE BRUSHY CREEK CEMETERY, ADEL, GEORGIA.