World War II Honoree
Killed in World War II
William John Hayes
Branch of Service
U.S. Marine Corps
Hometown
Mechanicville, New York
Honored By
Orville L. Kline
Rank: Private 1st Class. Inducted into the United States Marine Corps May 6, 1942 and received his Basic Combat Infantry Training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina. Served in the Pacific Theater and experienced combat with Headquarters Company, 29th Marine Regiment, and the Sixth Marine ‘the Striking Sixth’ Division. Participated in the Battle of Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands (Battle Dates: Easter Sunday, April 1-June 22, 1945) Code Name: Operation Iceberg. Killed in Action Wednesday, May 30, 1945 and buried in the Sixth Marine Division battlefield cemetery on Okinawa. This eighty-day battle, titled; ‘The Typhoon of Steel’ became the largest amphibious assault of WWII. After the cessation of hostilities with Japan, the remains of this Marine were returned to his family, with interment in the Saint Mary’s Cemetery in Hoosick Falls, New York. This American Patriot so gallantly gave his life for his country.