World War II Honoree
Killed In Action
John W. Hayes
Branch of Service
U.S. Army
Hometown
Estelline, Texas
Honored By
Orville L. Kline
Rank: Private First Class. He was inducted into the United States Army from Texas. After his recruit and advanced infantry training, he was deployed to the European Theater of Operations. He served as a Rifleman, assigned to Mike Company Heavy Weapons, Third Battalion, 335th Infantry Regiment and an element of the Eighty-Fourth Infantry ‘Rail-Splitters’ Division, attached to the U.S. First Army. His division participated in the Battle of the Bulge: Ardennes-Alsace Campaign. Thursday, January 4, 1945 he was reported missing in action, after a combat engagement against the German Armed Forces. In remembrance of the brave, his name is permanently inscribed in the tablets of the missing, memorialized at: Ardennes American Cemetery and Memorial Location: Neupre (Neuville-en-Condroz), Belgium. In his Memory and Honor, this American Patriot received the following decorations posthumously: Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. The Bronze Star was awarded to this Soldier for his Bravery, Act of Merit and Meritorious Service in Combat, and the Purple Heart for his Heroism and ultimate sacrifice.