Frank Kerr Hays | |
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![]() Frank Kerr Hays. 1918 | |
Born | Louisville, Kentucky, USA | November 3, 1896
Died | February 29, 1988 Monterey, California, USA | (aged 91)
Buried | Arlington National Cemetery |
Allegiance | ![]() |
Service/ | ![]() |
Rank | Lieutenant |
Unit | 13th Aero Squadron |
Battles/wars | ![]() |
Awards | ![]() |
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
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Frank Hays". theaerodrome.com.
- ^ a b Franks, Norman; Dempsey, Harry (2001). American Aces of World War I. Osprey Publishing. pp. 75–76. ISBN 1-84176-375-6.
- ^ "Distinguished Service Cross Recipients, World War I, 1917-1918" (PDF). Valor.Defense.gov. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
- ^ "1940 Census". FamilySearch.com. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
- ^ "California Death Index, 1940-1997". FamilySearch.com. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
- ^ "Frank Kerr Hays". Find-a-grave. Retrieved 24 February 2021.