Hays was born on September 27, 1892, in China, where his parents worked as Presbyterian missionaries.[1][2] He was raised in El Reno, Oklahoma, and attended Oklahoma A&M College (now Oklahoma State University) before leaving school to enlist for World War I. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1917, and by July 14, 1918, was a first lieutenant serving in France with the 10th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Division. On that day, during the Second Battle of the Marne near Greves Farm, his unit came under a heavy German artillery barrage and the communication lines were destroyed. Despite the intense fire, Hays rode on horseback between his unit, the command post, and two French batteries for the rest of that day and the next. Although he was severely wounded and had seven horses shot out from under him, his efforts contributed to the halt of the German advance. For these actions, he was awarded the Medal of Honor the next year, in 1919.[1]
World War IIEdit
Remaining in the army during the interwar period, Hays, who was promoted to lieutenant colonel on August 18, 1940,[3] commanded the 99th Field Artillery (Pack) from 1940 to 1941; among his subordinates was Captain William Orlando Darby, who went on to found the U.S. Army Rangers.[4]
In late November 1944, after returning to the U.S., Hays, promoted to temporary major general on January 3, 1945,[3] assumed command of the 10th Mountain Division when its CG, Major General Lloyd E. Jones, fell ill.[2] After training, the division arrived in Italy in January and fought throughout the spring offensive.[5] On April 24, 1945, Colonel William Darby was assigned as Hays' Assistant Division Commander, but was killed in action six days later.
After the end of the war in Europe, Hays became High Commissioner for the US Occupation Zone in Germany from 1949, and assumed command of the occupation forces or U.S. Forces Austria (USFA) in April 1952, in Salzburg. He retired from the military in 1953, having reached the rank of lieutenant general.[4]
Medal of Honor citationEdit
Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, United States Army, 10th Field Artillery, 3d Division.
Place and date: Near Greves Farm, France, 14 – July 15, 1918.
Entered service at: Okarche, Oklahoma.
Born: September 27, 1892, China.
General Orders No.34. War Department, 1919.
Citation:
At the very outset of the unprecedented artillery bombardment by the enemy, his line of communication was destroyed beyond repair. Despite the hazard attached to the mission of runner, he immediately set out to establish contact with the neighboring post of command and further establish liaison with 2 French batteries, visiting their position so frequently that he was mainly responsible for the accurate fire therefrom. While thus engaged, 7 horses were shot under him and he was severely wounded. His activity under most severe fire was an important factor in checking the advance of the enemy.[1]
^ abShelton, Peter (2003). Climb to Conquer: The Untold Story of World War II's 10th Mountain Division Ski Troops. New York: Simon and Schuster. pp. 114–115. ISBN978-0-7432-2606-6.
^ abc"Biography of Lieutenant General George Price Hays (1892−1978), USA". generals.dk.
^ abZabecki, David T. (2008). American Artillery and the Medal of Honor (4 ed.). Bennington, Vermont: Merriam Press. pp. 180–181. ISBN978-1-4357-5541-3.
^ abBrooks, Thomas R. (2003). The War North of Rome: June 1944– May 1945. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Da Capo Press. p. 352. ISBN978-0-306-81256-9.
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For other people named George Hays see George Hays disambiguation Lieutenant General George Price Hays September 27 1892 August 7 1978 was a United States Army general who served during World War I and World War II He earned the Medal of Honor as a young artillery officer during the Second Battle of the Marne in World War I During World War II he commanded the 10th Mountain Division in the last few months of the Italian Campaign George Price HaysBorn 1892 09 27 September 27 1892Chefoo ChinaDiedAugust 7 1978 1978 08 07 aged 85 BuriedArlington National Cemetery Virginia United StatesAllegianceUnited StatesService wbr branchUnited States ArmyYears of service1917 1953RankLieutenant GeneralUnitField Artillery BranchCommands heldSixth United States Army4th Infantry Division10th Mountain DivisionBattles warsWorld War IWorld War IIAwardsMedal of HonorArmy Distinguished Service MedalSilver Star 2 Legion of MeritBronze Star Medal Contents 1 Military career 2 World War II 3 Medal of Honor citation 4 See also 5 References 6 External linksMilitary career EditHays was born on September 27 1892 in China where his parents worked as Presbyterian missionaries 1 2 He was raised in El Reno Oklahoma and attended Oklahoma A amp M College now Oklahoma State University before leaving school to enlist for World War I He was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1917 and by July 14 1918 was a first lieutenant serving in France with the 10th Field Artillery Regiment 3rd Division On that day during the Second Battle of the Marne near Greves Farm his unit came under a heavy German artillery barrage and the communication lines were destroyed Despite the intense fire Hays rode on horseback between his unit the command post and two French batteries for the rest of that day and the next Although he was severely wounded and had seven horses shot out from under him his efforts contributed to the halt of the German advance For these actions he was awarded the Medal of Honor the next year in 1919 1 World War II EditRemaining in the army during the interwar period Hays who was promoted to lieutenant colonel on August 18 1940 3 commanded the 99th Field Artillery Pack from 1940 to 1941 among his subordinates was Captain William Orlando Darby who went on to found the U S Army Rangers 4 After the United States entry into World War II Hays promoted to the temporary rank of colonel on December 24 1941 3 participated in the Battle of Monte Cassino in early 1944 He commanded the 2nd Infantry Division s artillery on Omaha Beach during the Normandy landings in June of that year 5 nbsp The grave of Lieutenant General George Price Hays at Arlington National Cemetery In late November 1944 after returning to the U S Hays promoted to temporary major general on January 3 1945 3 assumed command of the 10th Mountain Division when its CG Major General Lloyd E Jones fell ill 2 After training the division arrived in Italy in January and fought throughout the spring offensive 5 On April 24 1945 Colonel William Darby was assigned as Hays Assistant Division Commander but was killed in action six days later After the end of the war in Europe Hays became High Commissioner for the US Occupation Zone in Germany from 1949 and assumed command of the occupation forces or U S Forces Austria USFA in April 1952 in Salzburg He retired from the military in 1953 having reached the rank of lieutenant general 4 Medal of Honor citation EditRank and organization First Lieutenant United States Army 10th Field Artillery 3d Division Place and date Near Greves Farm France 14 July 15 1918 Entered service at Okarche Oklahoma Born September 27 1892 China General Orders No 34 War Department 1919 Citation At the very outset of the unprecedented artillery bombardment by the enemy his line of communication was destroyed beyond repair Despite the hazard attached to the mission of runner he immediately set out to establish contact with the neighboring post of command and further establish liaison with 2 French batteries visiting their position so frequently that he was mainly responsible for the accurate fire therefrom While thus engaged 7 horses were shot under him and he was severely wounded His activity under most severe fire was an important factor in checking the advance of the enemy 1 See also Edit nbsp Biography portal nbsp World War I portalList of Medal of Honor recipients for World War IReferences Edit a b c Medal of Honor recipients World War I United States Army Center of Military History August 3 2009 Retrieved 2009 08 30 a b Shelton Peter 2003 Climb to Conquer The Untold Story of World War II s 10th Mountain Division Ski Troops New York Simon and Schuster pp 114 115 ISBN 978 0 7432 2606 6 a b c Biography of Lieutenant General George Price Hays 1892 1978 USA generals dk a b Zabecki David T 2008 American Artillery and the Medal of Honor 4 ed Bennington Vermont Merriam Press pp 180 181 ISBN 978 1 4357 5541 3 a b Brooks Thomas R 2003 The War North of Rome June 1944 May 1945 Cambridge Massachusetts Da Capo Press p 352 ISBN 978 0 306 81256 9 nbsp This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Army Center of Military History External links Edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to George Price Hays Generals of World War IIMilitary officesPreceded byLloyd E Jones Commanding General 10th Mountain Division1944 1945 Succeeded byPost deactivatedPreceded byHarold W Blakeley Commanding General 4th Infantry Division1945 1946 Succeeded byJens A DoePreceded byJoseph Stilwell Commanding General Sixth United States Army1946 1947 Succeeded byMark W Clark Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title George Price Hays amp oldid 1134415054, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
