THE WALL OF FACES

CPT John Hulsey Hays was an alumnus of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, NY. He was one of 335 men from West Point who died or are MIA in Southeast Asia/Indochina during the period October, 1957 – September, 1972. “Well done; Be thou at peace.”

Mary and I served with John in bindlock Germany with the 2nd av we go to the wall each time it comes to Florida to pay him our respect. Glad to see other names here who also served with him such as Bill Hurley .

John Hulsey Hays
Date of birth: 24-Sep-43
Date of death: November 8, 1968
Home of record: Winter Haven Florida
Status: KIA

John Hays graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1965. He was killed in action in Vietnam on November 8, 1968.
AWARDS AND CITATIONS

Distinguished Service Cross

Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Captain (Armor) John Hulsey Hays (ASN: OF-104780), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Troop B, 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. Captain Hays distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 8 November 1968 while serving as the commander of an armored cavalry troop near An Loc. As Captain Hays was leading two platoons of his unit and a light tank section on a sweep through an area of dense rubber trees, a North Vietnamese Army force unleashed an intense barrage of small arms, automatic weapons and antitank rocket fire. He immediately led a charge toward the attackers, pushing them into another section of the rubber trees. The remaining enemy then joined with a still larger North Vietnamese Army element and began a determined defense. During the course of the fierce engagement, Captain Hays manned a machine gun and directed a tremendous volume of suppressive fire, while also coordinating his force through the use of hand and arm signals which left him dangerously exposed. Suddenly his vehicle received a direct hit from an antitank rocket, knocking him to the ground. Although dazed, he ignored his injuries and, remounting the track, continued to fire the machine gun. When a group of North Vietnamese soldiers made a direct assault on his position, he killed two of them and scattered the rest. A few moments later his vehicle received another direct hit from an antitank rocket mortally wounding him. Captain Hays' extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 5896 (December 30, 1968)

Action Date: 8-Nov-68

Service: Army

Rank: Captain

Company: Troop B, 1st Squadron

Regiment: 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment

Silver Star

Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Armor) John Hulsey Hays (ASN: OF-104780), United States Army, for gallantry in action involving close combat against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Captain Hays distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 30 May 1968, while serving as Commanding Officer of Troop B, 1st squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, on a reconnaissance in force mission in conjunction with an Army, Republic of Vietnam regiment. As his troops approached an area of dense vegetation, it came under sudden fire from both flanks and the front. Immediately after executing a retrograde movement, Captain Hays directed artillery support and airstrikes against the hostile fortifications. At this point, Captain Hays courageously led an assault against the enemy positions. Although two of his platoon leaders were seriously wounded during the initial moments of the attack, Captain Hays rallied his men onward and began eliminating the bunker positions one at a time. When the lead elements became completely surrounded by insurgent forces, Captain Hays immediately rushed to their aid and led them onward to completely overrun and rout the enemy force from the area. During the hours of darkness, Captain Hays positioned his men in observation posts to prohibit the enemy from removing arms and their dead comrades from the battlefield. Captain Hays' extraordinary heroism in close combat against a Viet Cong force is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
General Orders: Headquarters, 9th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 6412 (August 6, 1968)

Action Date: 30-May-68

Service: Army

Rank: Captain

Company: Troop B, 1st Squadron

Regiment: 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment

John, Leslie and Lauren,
We have not forgotten a good friend from 1/2 ACR in Bindlach, Germany. You went to the Blackhorse 11th Cav. I went on to E Troop, 17th Cav, 173rd Abn. After 40+ years, you are still fondly remembered by your buddies from the 2nd Cav as a good friend, a great leader and a devoted family man. - Bill Hurley