World War II Honoree

James Robison 'Rob' Hays, Sr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Tulsa, Oklahoma

Honored By

John B. Hays, James R. Hays, Jr., Merle Anne Batie

Relationship

Sons and Daughter

ENLISTED IN MILITARY SERVICE IN MAY, 1943, DURING THE WAR. AFTER COMPLETION OF BASIC TRAINING AND ADVANCED INDIVIDUAL TRAINING, HE APPLIED AND WAS SELECTED FOR OFFICER TRAINING. ASSIGNED TO THE OFFICER CANDIDATE SCHOOL (OCS), AT THE INFANTRY SCHOOL AT FORT BENNING, AT COLUMBUS, GEORGIA. UPON SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THE COURSE OF INSTRUCTION, HE WAS HONORABLY DISCHARGED WITH THE RANK OF CORPORAL TO ACCEPT AN APPOINTMENT AS AN OFFICER. THE FOLLOWING DAY, HE GRADUATED AND WAS COMMISSIONED A SECOND LIEUTENANT OF INFANTRY. HE SERVED IN THE AMERICAN THEATER DURING THE WAR, INCLUDING AS AN INSTRUCTOR AT THE FIELD ARTILLERY SCHOOL AT FORT SILL AT LAWTON, OKLAHOMA. ALSO SERVED AS THE OFFICER IN CHARGE OF AN ORDNANCE DEPOT FOR A SHORT TIME. HE WAS AWARDED THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HE WAS HONORABLY DISCHARGED IN MAY, 1946, WITH THE RANK OF FIRST LIEUTENANT AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON. RECALLED TO ACTIVE DUTY AFTER THE WAR AND SERVED UNTIL AGAIN HONORABLY DISCHARGED WITH THE RANK OF FIRST LIEUTENANT.