John Joseph Hayes – Major General, United States Army

From a contemporary press report

John J. Hayes, 89, a retired Army Major General who spent most of his career in command positions with the Chemical Corps, died of cardiorespiratory failure February 6, 2004, at his home in Annandale, Virignia, where he had lived for 32 years.

General Hayes was a Chicago native and chemical engineering graduate of Washington University. He received a master’s degree and doctorate in public welfare administration from Catholic University.

He began his military career as a Private in the Missouri National Guard in 1934. He received training in the U.S. National Guard Chemical Warfare Service Reserve before he was transferred to England at the start of World War II.

In England, he was assigned to supply services headquarters for the European Theater of Operations. He later served in North Africa, Corsica and the Italian island of Elba before participating in the invasion of southern France.

His postwar assignments included tenure as comptroller of the Chemical Corps in Washington and commander of Pine Bluff Arsenal in Arkansas.

After a series of other assignments and a reorganization of the Chemical Corps, he served in the early 1960s as deputy commander of the Chemical Corps Research and Development Command in Washington.

Later in the 1960s, he was a senior logistics adviser to the Army of the Republic of Korea and director of procurement and production at Army Material Command headquarters.

From 1968 to 1972, General Hayes was assigned to Okinawa as commanding general of the 2nd Logistics Command. One of his main responsibilities was moving U.S. military chemical munitions off the island as Okinawa reverted to Japanese control.

He retired from active military duty in the early 1970s.

His military decorations included the Distinguished Service Medal and the Legion of Merit, each with an oak leaf cluster.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Hayes of Annandale; a daughter, Sharon Keller of Annandale; four sons, retired Army Colonel Thomas M. Hayes of Mesa, Arizona, retired Army Colonel James P. Hayes of Alexandria and David C. Hayes and John J. Hayes Jr., both of Manassas; a brother; a sister; and nine grandchildren.


HAYES, JOHN JOSEPH (Age 89)

On Friday, February 6, 2004, Major General JOHN JOSEPH HAYES, US Army (Ret.). Beloved husband of Mary R. Hayes; beloved father of Thomas M., James P., Sharon M., David C. and John Jr.; cherished grandfather of nine grandchildren; brother of Edward F. Hayes and Moiria Kuhl.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday, February 11 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, 7401 St. Michael Ln., Annandale, Virginia, 22003, at 10:30 a.m. Interment Mass will be celebrated Wednesday, March 24, at Fort Myer Chapel, at 12:45 p.m. Interment with Full Military Honors at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia. Memorial contributions may be made to the USO.


Major General John J. Hayes was born on April 24, 1914. He distinguished himself and the U.S. Army Chemical Corps by his leadership and expertise in various logistical disciplines. His influence was particularly felt in the chemical and biological fields, where he displayed exceptional skill and detailed knowledge in the
management of critical Army programs. One example of a vitally significant and major contribution by General Hayes was the completion of Operation Red Hat. During Operation Red Hat, he was responsible for the planning and execution of the movement of more than 10,000 tons of toxic chemical munitions from Okinawa to Johnston Island. This operation ranks as one of the most extraordinary and successful logistical operations accomplished by the Department of Defense. General Hayes epitomized the high traditions of the military profession and exemplified the best in achievement and perceptive management in research and development, procurement and production, and supply distribution and maintenance. General Hayes retired in 1972.

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HAYES, JOHN JOSEPH

  • MG   US ARMY
  • WORLD WAR II, KOREA, VIETNAM
  • DATE OF BIRTH: 04/24/1914
  • DATE OF DEATH: 02/06/2004
  • BURIED AT: SECTION 66  SITE 3018
    ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

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