Hays, Georg Price, born 27-09-1892, in Yantai, China, 
to George Smith Hays (1861-1943) and his wife Fannie Culbertson, born Corbett ( 1866-1955). His parents worked as Presbyterian missionaries. Georg was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1917, and by 14-07-1918, was a first lieutenant serving in France with the 10th Field Artillery 
, 3rd Division 
. On that day, during the Second Battle of the Marne near Greves Farm, his unit came under a heavy German artillery barrage and the communication lines were destroyed. Despite the intense fire, Hays rode on horseback between his unit, the command post, and two French batteries for the rest of that day and the next. Although he was severely wounded 
and had seven horses shot out from under him, his efforts contributed to the halt of the German advance. For these actions, he was awarded the Medal of Honor the next year, in 1919. He commanded the 99th Field Artillery (Pack) from 1940 to 1941; among his subordinates was Captain William Orlando Darby, 
who went on to found the U.S. Army Rangers. After the United States’ entry into World War II, Hays participated in the Battle of Monte Cassino (see Wadislaw Anders) in early 1944. He commanded the 2nd Infantry Division’s, nickname “Indian head” 
artillery on Omaha Beach during the invasion of Normandy in June of that year. Casualties of the 2nd Infantry Division during the war: killed in action – 1,964 and wounded in action – 9,782. In late November 1944, after returning to the U.S., Hays took over the 10th Mountain Division 
when its previous commander fell ill. After training, the division arrived in Italy in January and fought throughout the spring offensive. On 24-04-1945, William Darby was assigned to the division as Hays’ assistant commander; he was killed in action six days later. During World War II, the 10th Mountain Division suffered 992 killed in action and 4.154 wounded in action in 114 days of combat. Soldiers of the division were awarded one Medal of Honor, John David Magrath
to George Smith Hays (1861-1943) and his wife Fannie Culbertson, born Corbett ( 1866-1955). His parents worked as Presbyterian missionaries. Georg was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1917, and by 14-07-1918, was a first lieutenant serving in France with the 10th Field Artillery , 3rd Division . On that day, during the Second Battle of the Marne near Greves Farm, his unit came under a heavy German artillery barrage and the communication lines were destroyed. Despite the intense fire, Hays rode on horseback between his unit, the command post, and two French batteries for the rest of that day and the next. Although he was severely wounded and had seven horses shot out from under him, his efforts contributed to the halt of the German advance. For these actions, he was awarded the Medal of Honor the next year, in 1919. He commanded the 99th Field Artillery (Pack) from 1940 to 1941; among his subordinates was Captain William Orlando Darby, who went on to found the U.S. Army Rangers. After the United States’ entry into World War II, Hays participated in the Battle of Monte Cassino (see Wadislaw Anders) in early 1944. He commanded the 2nd Infantry Division’s, nickname “Indian head” artillery on Omaha Beach during the invasion of Normandy in June of that year. Casualties of the 2nd Infantry Division during the war: killed in action – 1,964 and wounded in action – 9,782. In late November 1944, after returning to the U.S., Hays took over the 10th Mountain Division when its previous commander fell ill. After training, the division arrived in Italy in January and fought throughout the spring offensive. On 24-04-1945, William Darby was assigned to the division as Hays’ assistant commander; he was killed in action six days later. During World War II, the 10th Mountain Division suffered 992 killed in action and 4.154 wounded in action in 114 days of combat. Soldiers of the division were awarded one Medal of Honor, John David Magrath
he posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions and sacrifice of life for actions occurring in Italy on 14-04-1945, age 20, further three Distinguished Service Crosses, one Distinguished Service Medal, 449 Silver Stars Medals, seven Legion of Merit Medals, 15 Soldier’s Medals, and 7.729 Bronze Star Medals. The division itself was awarded two campaign streamers. After the end of the war in Europe, Hays became High Commissioner for the US Occupation Zone in Germany from 1949, and was placed in charge of the occupation forces in Austria from 1952.Death and burial ground of Hays, Georg Price.
He retired from the military in 1953, having reached the rank of Lieutenant General. Georg Hays died age 85, on 07-08-1978 in Pinehurst, Moore County, North Carolina, and is buried on Arlington Cemetery in Section 11. In Section 11 are also buried Lieutenant General, Commanding General, Normandy, Henry Aurand, Lieutenant Colonel and Fighter ace, “The Boise Bee”, Duane Beeson, the Flyer Ace, Marine Corps Brigade General, Carlson’s Raiders, “Gung Ho”, Evans Carlson and General, Vogues Forests, 36th Infantry Division 
, and he arrested Reichsmarshal, Herman Göring, John Dahlquist, 
Major General, Commander 106th Infantry Division, Ardennes Offensive, Alan Jones, Air Force Brigadier General, Chief of Staff Second Air Force, Nathan Forrest III, 1* Major General, Commanding General 7th Armored Division Lindsay McDonald Silvester.
Message(s), tips or interesting graves for the webmaster: robhopmans@outlook.com
Leave a Reply