Michael J. Hayes

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Michael J. Hayes, First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, for repeated acts of extraordinary heroism in action at Bazoches, France, August 14, 1918, and St. Juvin, France, October 14, 1918. On August 14 Lieutenant Hayes led a patrol of five men in broad daylight and without any cover rescued his company commander who had fallen wounded near a German machine-gun nest. Failing to find the wounded officer, he crawled to within 20 yards of the post, attacked it with great dash and gallantry, inflicting a number of casualties in spite of heavy fire from enemy machine guns and hand grenades. On October 14 this officer led his platoon forward into the attack with energy and courage, in the face of heavy artillery and machine-gun fire. In the face of direct fire from enemy machine-guns upon Ms platoon, disregarding his own personal safety, he went forward to reconnoiter and find cover for his men from which to continue the attack. In the performance of his courageous enterprise he was killed by machine-gun fire.

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Michael J. Hayes, Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company C, 2d Battalion (Airmobile), 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam on 6 October 1969. When his platoon was ambushed by heavy rocket and small arms fire from an unknown size enemy force and was unable to maneuver, Specialist Fourth Class Hayes exposed himself to mark his platoon’s position with smoke for the aerial rocket artillery. When a section of his platoon moved forward of its defensive line and was immediately pinned down by intense fire, he exposed himself to the fire as he moved to a hazardous position and placed down a heavy base of fire until the enemy fire abated and the other men could maneuver. Specialist Four Hayes also personally evacuated two wounded men to the rear then returned to his position and continued to deliver accurate fire on the enemy until severely wounded by enemy rocket fire. His gallant action is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service, and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
Headquarters, 1st Cavalry Division, General Orders No. 1953 (February 7, 1970)