Tristan Whitney Hayes

The database page for Tristan Whitney Hayes

11 Aug 2002 REMEMBERED ACROSS THE YEARS by a nephew. E-Mail may be forwarded via the Webmaster@VirtualWall.org

23 Sep 2004 Tristan and I were friends during the early 1960s in Morristown, New Jersey. As 8th graders, we were in the same Boy Scout troop and I considered him to be my best friend at the time. He had a fascination with things military even then and we once went into the city searching for die cast soldiers. He moved away and I learned of his death through our local paper. Several years ago, when my son was in 8th grade, I went with him on a class trip and chaperoned a group. I took them to the "Wall" and showed them Tristan's name. I talked about what type of young man he was at their age. I was soon surrounded by many others who listened, tears in their eyes. The reality of what a war is about was driven home to many children that day. About four years ago (2000), I discovered this site. As a social studies teacher, I have used the site to discuss the Vietnam war and bring it home with my middle school students. Tristan's memory lives on in ways we will never know. From a friend, Michael Munzer mrmsocialstudies@excite.com

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY HEADQUARTERS, XXIV CORPS APO San Francisco 96308 23 January 1969 GENERAL ORDERS NUMBER 68 AWARD OF THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL (POSTHUMOUSLY) 1. TC 320. The following AWARD is announced posthumously. HAYES, TRISTAN W. RA11623975 (147-42-4232) PFC UNITED STATES ARMY HQ, 1st Inf Bde, 5th Inf Div (Mech) Awarded: Bronze Star Medal with "V" Device (Posthumously) Date action: 9 September 1968 Theater: Republic of Vietnam Reason: For exceptionally valorous service in connection with military operations against a hostile force. Private First Class Hayes distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 9 September 1968 while serving as a rifleman on a combat operation in the Republic of Vietnam. When artillery rounds began falling into the company's surrounding area, numerous casualties resulted. Seeing that his squad leader was missing and that his squad was disorganized, Private First Class Hayes immediately directed his squad to dig in. He then left the safety of his position to look for his squad leader. Upon finding his wounded squad leader, he carried him to safety and to medical aid. Several times Private First Class Hayes left the comparative safety of his position to carry wounded comrades to safety and to medical aid. As a result of his unceasing determination and concern for his comrades, the wounded received the medical attention they needed. Private First Class Hayes' personal bravery and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army. Authority: By direction of the President under provisions of Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962. FOR THE COMMANDER: ALEXANDER R. BOLLING JR. BG, USA Chief of Staff OFFICIAL: WEBSTER PARKER LTC, AGC Adjutant General

The point-of-contact for this memorial is a nephew. E-Mail may be forwarded via the Webmaster@VirtualWall.org 11 Aug 2002

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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Channing Prothro, former CAP Marine
Last updated 09/25/2004