Frank Kerr Hays

Last updated
Frank Kerr Hays
Frank Kerr Hays.jpg
Frank Kerr Hays. 1918
Born(1896-11-03)November 3, 1896
Louisville, Kentucky, USA
DiedFebruary 29, 1988(1988-02-29) (aged 91)
Monterey, California, USA
Buried
AllegianceFlag of the United States (1912-1959).svg  United States
Service/branch Prop and wings.svg United States Army Air Service
RankLieutenant
Unit 13th Aero Squadron
Battles/wars World War I Victory Medal ribbon.svg   World War I
Awards Distinguished Service Cross ribbon.svg Distinguished Service Cross

Lieutenant Frank Kerr Hays was a World War I flying ace credited with six aerial victories. [1]

Hays was born to Charles and Bertha (Snider) Hays on November 3, 1896, in Louisville, Kentucky. Hays was living in Chicago when he joined the U.S. Army Air Service. [2] He reported to the 13th Aero Squadron on August 29, 1918, at the age of 21. On September 13, he won his first three victories in a melee in which he continued his attack after his guns jammed. He cleared them in time to rescue his Flight Commander from enemy attack. The feat earned him a Distinguished Service Cross (which can be seen on his portrait photo). [3] Hays would score three more times, his last win coming one week before the armistice ended the war. [2]

Hays married Beulah Stevens on March 29, 1924, in Chicago. They had two children, Frank Jr. and Joyce. [4] Hays died on February 29, 1988, in Monterey, California. [5] He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery. [6]

See also

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References

  1. "Frank Hays". theaerodrome.com.
  2. 1 2 Franks, Norman; Dempsey, Harry (2001). American Aces of World War I. Osprey Publishing. pp. 75–76. ISBN   1-84176-375-6.
  3. "Distinguished Service Cross Recipients, World War I, 1917-1918" (PDF). Valor.Defense.gov. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
  4. "1940 Census". FamilySearch.com. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
  5. "California Death Index, 1940-1997". FamilySearch.com. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
  6. "Frank Kerr Hays". Find-a-grave. Retrieved 24 February 2021.