The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Technical Sergeant [then Sergeant] Hobday W. Hayles (ASN: 34109702), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 119th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 13 January 1945, in Belgium. Technical Sergeant Hayles was separated from his platoon and pinned down in the open. By crawling, and intermittent dashing through the enemy fire, he reached his platoon and directed them to take cover while he went forward again and personally made a reconnaissance of the enemy positions. Gaining the desired information, Technical Sergeant Hayles once more started to his platoon through enemy fire. Three bullets penetrated the front of his field jacket without injuring him. He crept, crawled, and dashed through the fire for two hundred yards to his platoon and organized a special squad to attack the enemy positions. Through his gallant actions two enemy machine guns were knocked out, twenty-four enemy killed and thirty prisoners taken. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Technical Sergeant Hayles, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.