George Hays was born in China where his parents were serving as missionaries. He served in both World War I and World War II, earning the Medal of Honor in the first, and two Silver Stars in the second. After the end of the war in Europe, he became High Commissioner for the U.S. Occupation Zone in Germany from 1949, and was placed in charge of the occupation forces in Austria from 1952. He retired from the military in 1953 as a U.S. Army Lieutenant General.
Sponsored by:
George
Price
Hays
September 27, 1892
–
September 7, 1978
Cemetery:
Arlington National Cemetery
Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Army Distinguished Service Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Army Distinguished Service Medal
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Medal of Honor
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
First Lieutenant (Field Artillery)Regiment:
10th Field Artillery RegimentDivision:
3d Division, American Expeditionary ForcesAction Date:
July 14 & 15, 1918
Headquarters, 3d Division, A.E.F., Citation Orders No. 22 (July 8, 1919)By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), First Lieutenant (Field Artillery) George Price Hays, United States Army, is cited by the Commanding General, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the World War I Victory Medals awarded him. While serving with the 10th Field Artillery Regiment, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, on the night of 14 -0 15 July 1918, Lieutenant Hayes was Liaison Officer between the 30th Infantry Regiment and our 2d Battalion, which was situated at Greves Farm. A few minutes after 12:00 an intense bombardment by the Germans was thrown upon this entire sector, cutting telephonic communications almost instantly and rendering liaison by means of messenger most hazardous. Despite this bombardment by both gas and high explosive shell, Lieutenant Hays courageously acted as runner between the 30th Infantry Regiment and the 2d Battalion Post of Command. This was his normal duty but not content with this, and being extremely anxious to defeat the advance of the Germans, he took it upon himself to keep up liaison between a group of twelve French 75’s situated nearby and a number of scattered French 155’s. So frequent were the trips made by Lieutenant Hays in his earnest desire to check the Germans that it can almost be said he personally directed the fire of the above mentioned guns, in that he kept them constantly informed of the most minute change in the approaching German Infantry lines.
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Army Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Major GeneralAction Date:
August 1947 – July 1949
Department of the Army, General Orders No. 55 (December 30, 1949)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Major General George P. Hays (ASN: 0-1749), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility from August 1947 to July 1949.
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Legion of Merit
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major General George Price Hays, United States Army, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States.
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Army Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Major GeneralDivision:
10th Mountain DivisionAction Date:
World War II
War Department, General Orders No. 67 (1945)(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major General George Price Hays, United States Army, was awarded the Army Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as Commanding General, 10th Mountain Division, during World War II.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Major GeneralDivision:
10th Mountain DivisionAction Date:
World War II
Headquarters, FIFTH U.S. Army, General Orders No. 111 (1945)(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major General George Price Hays, United States Army, was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action while serving as Commanding General, 10th Mountain Division, during World War II.
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Silver Star
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major General George Price Hays, United States Army, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star for gallantry in action while serving as Commanding General, 10th Mountain Division, during World War II.
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Medal of Honor
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
First Lieutenant (Field Artillery)Batallion:
2d BattalionRegiment:
10th Field Artillery RegimentDivision:
3d Division, American Expeditionary ForcesAction Date:
July 14 & 15, 1918
War Department, General Orders No. 34 (March 07, 1919)The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to First Lieutenant (Field Artillery) George Price Hays, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on July 14 & 15, 1918, while serving with the 2d Battalion, 10th Field Artillery, 3d Division, in action at Greves Farm, France. At the very outset of the unprecedented artillery bombardment by the enemy, First Lieutenant Hays’ 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 two French batteries, visiting their position so frequently that he was mainly responsible for the accurate fire there from. While thus engaged, seven 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.