Ronald Hays graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Class of 1950. He retired as a U.S. Navy Admiral. From 1983 to 1985 he served as the 21st Vice Chief of Naval Operations.
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Ronald Hays graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Class of 1950. He retired as a U.S. Navy Admiral. From 1983 to 1985 he served as the 21st Vice Chief of Naval Operations.
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The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Commander Ronald Jackson Hays (NSN: 0-532873/1310), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action on 13 December 1966 as a pilot in Attack Squadron EIGHTY-FIVE (VA-84), embarked in U.S.S. KITTY HAWK (CVA-63). As the strike leader, Commander Hays planned and led a 25-plane strike group in a daring daylight strike against the heavily defended Van Dien Vehicle Depot five miles from the city of Hanoi, North Vietnam. Experiencing a radio failure while approaching the target area which required him to relinquish the lead, he continued as wingman in the van element, in preference to aborting, with only the capability to receive on-guard frequency. Upon arrival in the target area, he encountered multiple missile firings and formidable anti-aircraft fire, sustaining a direct hit by a 37-mm. round which penetrated the wing of his airplane. Even though his aircraft had received substantial damage, he rolled into his dive and accurately delivered his bombs on his assigned target as verified by the massive damage evident in post-strike photography taken of his target. By his bold planning, undaunted courage, inspiring leadership and superior airmanship, Commander Hays upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Commander Ronald Jackson Hays (NSN: 0-532873/1310), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while participating in aerial flight as a pilot of jet aircraft, attached to and serving as Commanding Officer of Attack Squadron EIGHTY-FIVE (VA-84), embarked in U.S.S. KITTY HAWK (CVA-63), during all-weather attacks against vital enemy facilities between 18 March and 24 March 1967. When inclement weather prevented visual attacks, Commander Hays boldly planned and courageously led four multi-aircraft night strikes during a one-week period against North Vietnam’s only steel and iron complex, and two of its most significant thermal power plants. Each of the targets was located deep inland well inside the formidable surface-to-air missile and enemy fighter interceptor network which protected the Red River Delta. Each target was also heavily defended by an unparalleled number of anti-aircraft batteries of all caliber and automatic weapons. Satisfactory execution of the extremely low altitude high speed penetration tactics dictated by the defensive environment required the utmost in piloting skills, courage and determination. In addition to his own gallant decision to lead each strike personally, Commander Hays elected to fly the more hazardous route to the targets in order to provide diversity of attack headings and a measure of reduced exposure to the other aircraft in the flight. Despite the intense barrage fire, almost continuous indications of missile and gun laying radar activity and missile fire encountered en route to and at the target area, he courageously pursued the daring attacks to a successful conclusion. The results achieved, as supported by photographic bomb damage assessment, were that all three facilities were damaged by bomb hits and rendered inoperable. By his daring actions and loyal devotion to duty in the face of repeated grave personal risks, Commander Hays upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Rear Admiral Ronald Jackson Hays (NSN: 0-532873/1310), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as the Director of the Office of Program Appraisal in the Office of the Secretary of the Navy from August 1975 to July 1978. As principal advisor to the Secretary of the Navy responsible for the analyses of Navy and Marine Corps programs, Rear Admiral Hays distinguished himself in advancing the interest of the United States Navy and the United States Marine Corps with unique effectiveness and resourcefulness. Acting as the focal point for the Navy Secretariat for all Navy and Marine Corps programming matters, his thorough knowledge, analytical ability, and objectivity ensured that the Secretary of the Navy received all essential information relating to issues on which the Secretary was required to make a decision. In so doing, Rear Admiral Hays was most effective in building and strengthening consensus among the staffs of the Chief of Naval Operations, Commandant of the Marine Corps, and Secretary of the Navy in support of program decisions which contributed significantly to their success in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the White House, and ultimately in the Congress of the United States. His loyalty and dedication to the objective support of initiatives of the Secretary were unstinting and provided the rationale necessary to support the programs. His superb achievements in structuring these future programs will have a direct impact on the combat effectiveness of the Navy and Marine Corps for years to come and will, in considerable measure, assure the premier posture of these forces into the next century. By his dedicated and prodigious effort. Rear Admiral Hays made a substantive and lasting contribution to the effectiveness of the Navy-Marine Corps team; thereby upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Vice Admiral Ronald Jackson Hays (NSN: 0-532873/1310), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Commander in Chief, United States Naval Forces, Europe, from September 1980 through December 1982 and as Deputy Commander in Chief, United States Naval Forces, Europe from January 1983 through March 1983. Demonstrating outstanding professional ability, charismatic leadership, and superb competence, Vice Admiral Hays was personally and directly responsible for a significant increase in the combat readiness of U.S. Naval Forces, Europe. His tour was a sustained challenge dealing with continued crisis involving national interests in the European Theater. Vice Admiral Hays’ judgment in coping with these extraordinary delicate complexities proved, without exception, the quintessence of sound military strategy and sensitive demarche. The image and operational readiness of the United States Navy was greatly enhanced by his superb calls. Vice Admiral Hays’ distinctive accomplishments, forceful leadership, unrelenting perseverance, and absolute dedication to duty reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Third Gold Star in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Admiral Ronald Jackson Hays (NSN: 0-532873/1310), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as the Vice Chief of Naval Operations from April 1983 to August 1985. Functioning in close cooperation and in direct support of the Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Hays’ astute and timely recommendations were invaluable in the formulation and implementation of Naval strategy. He demonstrated a profound grasp of global strategy as an alternate member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and exhibited an inestimable capability for rapid and exacting assessment of U.S. Naval requirements led to numerous innovative productivity enhancement programs among fleet support activities. These programs increased Navy’s combat readiness, integrated use of advanced technology coupled with strategic planning and force level programming processes, and significantly improved the overall quality of life for Naval personnel and their dependents. His keen sense of diplomacy and comprehensive grasp of Naval matters earned the admiration and respect of all with whom he was associated. Admiral Hays’ distinguished achievements, inspirational leadership, and steadfast devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Commander Ronald Jackson Hays (NSN: 0-532873/1310), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action on 16 March 1967 as a pilot in Attack Squadron EIGHTY-FIVE (VA-84), embarked in U.S.S. KITTY HAWK (CVA-63), during a daring and hazardous night strike against the strategic Bac Giang Thermal Power Plant located thirty miles northeast of Hanoi, North Vietnam. When a malfunction developed in the airplane of his wingman, Commander Hays detached the faltering airplane and courageously continued on the mission alone. In adverse weather conditions, complete darkness, and at extremely low altitude, he succeeded in reaching the target despite frequent encounters with intense barrage fire along the route, almost continuous indications of missile and gun-laying radar activity, a missile fired at the airplane, and an attempt by the enemy to illuminate the airplane with searchlights. Upon arrival at the preplanned release point, he accurately delivered his bombs. During retirement following the attack, he displayed unerring airmanship and extreme boldness in maneuvering to avoid the surface-to-air missile volley fired at his aircraft. Post-strike photography of the target revealed extensive damage to the power plant complex. Through his heroic actions and fearless devotion to duty, Commander Hays succeeded in destroying vital portions of a facility indispensable to the enemy’s war-making potential. His performance was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Vice Admiral Ronald Jackson Hays (NSN: 0-532873/1310), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Deputy Commander in Chief and Chief of Staff for the Commander in Chief Atlantic and the Commander in Chief U.S. Atlantic Fleet; and as Deputy Commander in Chief Western Atlantic Area and Deputy Commander Ocean Atlantic from September 1978 through August 1980. Vice Admiral Hays’ executive leadership, planning expertise, and military/political acumen contributed directly to the successful accomplishment of the missions of these four major commands. His skillful coordination and direction of the total efforts of the joint, fleet, and combined staffs resulted in the achievement of maximum effectiveness in the areas of organization, administration, training, readiness, and operations. Vice Admiral Hays’ unique perception of operational and training requirements, constant evaluation of material and personnel resources, and realignment of priorities ensured that the Atlantic Command and the Atlantic Fleet remained responsive to the various contingencies and natural disasters which occurred during his tour. By his distinctive accomplishments, perseverance, astuteness, and impressive devotion to duty, Vice Admiral Hays reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.