Ronald J. Hays
Ronald J. Hays | |
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| Battles/wars | Korean War Vietnam War |
| Awards | Navy Distinguished Service Medal (4) Silver Star (3) Legion of Merit Distinguished Flying Cross (7) Bronze Star Medal |
Ronald Jackson Hays (August 19, 1928 – January 11, 2021) was a
Early life
Hays was born on August 19, 1928, and raised in Urania, Louisiana,[2] a sawmill town that was owned "lock, stock, and barrel" by the Q.T. Hardtner family. In high school, "Happy" Hays worked as the butcher's assistant in the company store. There, Mr. Hardtner took notice and succeeded in gaining a United States Naval Academy congressional appointment for "Happy."
Hays graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1950 and served on a destroyer for one year prior to commencing
Between 1969 and 1988 Hays' career path was divided between fleet aviation assignments and resource management positions in the Pentagon. During this period significant assignments included:
- Commanding Officer, Roosevelt Roads Naval Station, Puerto Rico
- Director, Navy Program Planning
- Commander, Carrier Group Four
- Director, Office of Program Appraisal
- Deputy Commander in Chief, Atlantic Forces
- Commander in Chief, United States Naval Forces Europe
- Vice Chief of Naval Operations
- Commander in Chief, United States Pacific Command
As Commander in Chief Pacific Forces, Hays commanded all United States military forces in the Pacific theater. He retired from military service in October 1988 and entered the commercial world as a director on several boards, including civic and non-profit organizations. He also served as a consultant for the Parsons Corporation, a global engineering firm.
Hays is a graduate of the Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island; Test Pilot School, Patuxent River, Maryland; Federal Executive Institute, University of Virginia; and Flight Safety School, University of California.
Hays was awarded a Doctorate of Humanities by
Recognition for Hays' military service includes the
Hays was Chairman of the Board of the development of the
Military awards
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Naval Aviator Badge
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award stars
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award stars
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Legion of Merit | ||||||
award stars
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Valor Device
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Air Medal 3 personal and 14 Strike/Flight | ||||||
award star
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Navy Unit Commendation w/ 2 service stars | Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation
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| World War II Victory Medal | Navy Occupation Medal
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National Defense Service Medal w/ 1 service star | ||||||
Korea Service Medal
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campaign stars
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Korea Presidential Unit Citation
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Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation
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United Nations Korea Medal
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Vietnam Campaign Medal | ||||||
References
- ^ "Hawaii loses 2 military heroes, advocates in Irwin K. Cockett Jr. And Ronald J. Hays". 24 January 2021.
- ISBN 9780937539248.
