Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Gilbert
H.
Hayden
October 25, 1897

–

October 12, 1981

Born:

Seatonville

, 

Illinois

Home:

Princeton

, 

Illinois

Buried: 

Inglewood

, 

California

Cemetery:

Inglewood Park Cemetery

After serving as an enlisted man in World War I, Gilbert Hayden enrolled and graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of June 14,1922. After serving in the Army Air Forces in World War II, he transferred to the U.S. Air Force when it became a separate branch of service in 1947. He retired in 1952 as a U.S. Air Force Brigadier General.

Awards Received

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Colonel (Signal Corps)

    Action Date:

    1945 – 1946

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel (Signal Corps) Gilbert Hayden (AFSN: AO-14998/218A), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Communications and Signal Officer for the 12th Tactical Air Command in Italy and later as Chief of the Air Communications Division, Headquarters of the Armed Forces in the Pacific from 1945 to 1946. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Hayden and his dedicated contributions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Service

    Rank:

    Sergeant

    Regiment:

    59th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    4th Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    October 1, 1918
    Headquarters, 4th Division, A.E.F., Citation Orders

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Gilbert Hayden (AFSN: AO-14998/218A), United States Army Air Service, for gallantry in action while serving with the 59th Infantry Regiment, 4th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in the Argonne Forest, on 1 October 1918. Despite being wounded in the head, Sergeant Hayden remained at his post as an observer, demonstrating courage and fearlessness and disregard for personal safety. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Sergeant Hayden, 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 Air Service.