Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
James
R.
Hayden
POW (Korea)
1925-11-02

–

Born:

Fancy Farm

, 

Kentucky

Home:

Fancy Farm

, 

Kentucky

Awards Received

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Sergeant First Class

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (Korean War)

    Action Date:

    December 1, 1950 – September 5, 1953
    NARA Database: Repatriated Korean Conflict Prisoners of War, 7/5/1950 – 10/6/1954

    Sergeant First Class James R. Hayden (ASN: RA-35839187), United States Army, was held as a Prisoner of War after he was captured during the Korean War on 1 December 1950 and was held until his release on 5 September 1953 after the signing of the Armistice.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Sergeant

    Batallion:

    1st Battalion

    Regiment:

    254th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    63d Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    March 15, 1945
    Headquarters, 63d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 345 (July 10, 1945)

    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 James R. Hayden (ASN: RA-35839187), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 254th Infantry Regiment, 63d Infantry Division, in action on 15 March 1945, in the vicinity of Bechingen, Germany. When Sergeant Hayden was investigating a tunnel, the enemy in the tunnel threw a grenade at him and damaged his weapon by rifle fire. After securing another rifle, he re-entered the tunnel. In the ensuing battle, he single-handedly killed two, wounded four, and captured twelve prisoners. Sergeant Hayden’s gallantry and fearlessness under enemy fire is in keeping with the highest traditions of the Armed Forces of the United States.