John G Hayes

MAJOR JOHN G. HAYES JR.
U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 1959
Cadet Squadron: CS-01
Highest Rank: Major (O-4)
Years of Service: 18

John G. Hayes Jr. came to the newly established United States Air Force Academy from his hometown of San Mateo, California. Joining the "First Class," he entered Cadet Squadron 1 (CS-01) and helped establish the foundations of the Academy's traditions and culture.

His graduation day in June 1959 highlighted his resilience and became an enduring piece of Class of 1959 lore: still recovering from a severe skiing accident, a determined Cadet Hayes moved across the stage on crutches to receive his diploma and Air Force commission to a roaring round of applause from his fellow classmates.

Following graduation, Hayes began his career on a non-flying assignment as a Budget Officer with the 28th Air Division at Hamilton Air Force Base, California. However, his sights remained set on the skies. In 1960, he entered Undergraduate Pilot Training, learning the fundamentals at Moore Air Base before earning his silver wings at Williams Air Force Base in 1961.

After completing advanced interceptor pilot training at Perrin Air Force Base, Texas, Hayes was assigned to the front lines of the Cold War. From 1962 to 1965, he served as a fighter pilot with the 525th Fighter Interceptor Squadron at Bitburg Air Base, West Germany, flying air defense missions along the iron curtain. He then returned to Perrin Air Force Base as an Instructor Pilot, passing on his operational knowledge to the next generation of combat crew trainees.

As the conflict in Southeast Asia intensified, Hayes shifted to special operations. In 1968, he deployed to Vietnam as a pilot with a Special Operations Squadron. Flying hazardous, low-altitude tactical missions over hostile territory, his bravery and skill under fire earned him two Distinguished Flying Crosses, a Purple Heart, and 15 Air Medals.

Upon returning stateside in 1969, Hayes brought his vital combat experience back into the training environment, serving as an Instructor Pilot and Squadron Training Officer with the 4407th Combat Crew Training Squadron (CCTS) at Hurlburt Field, Florida. Major Hayes passed away on August 17, 2007, leaving behind a proud legacy of service as a pioneer of the Academy's first graduating class.

MILITARY EDUCATION

• 1959: Bachelor of Science, United States Air Force Academy
• 1961: Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT)

MEDALS AND AWARDS

• Distinguished Flying Cross (with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster)
• Purple Heart
• Air Medal (with 14 Oak Leaf Clusters)
• Air Force Commendation Medal

SERVICE ASSIGNMENTS

Years Duty Location / Unit
1959–1960 Budget Officer 28th Air Division, Hamilton AFB, CA
1960–1961 Student Pilot Moore AB, TX / Williams AFB, AZ
1961–1962 Pilot Training Perrin AFB, TX
1962–1965 Fighter Interceptor Pilot 525th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, Bitburg AB, West Germany
1965–1967 Instructor Pilot 4781st Combat Crew Training Squadron, Perrin AFB, TX
1968 Combat Pilot Special Operations Squadron, Vietnam
1969 Squadron Training Officer / Instructor Pilot 4407th CCTS, Hurlburt Field, FL