American Civil War Medal of Honor Recipient. He was issued the award on December 31, 1864 for his actions as a coxswain assigned to the Navy sloop-of war USS Kearsarge on June 19, 1864, off the coast of Cherbourg, France (also known as the Battle of Cherbourg). A native of Newfoundland, Canada, he joined the US Navy in December 1861. On that day, he was serving as the second captain of the number two gun of the USS Kearsarge that was pursuing the Confederate blockade runner Alabama, a successful commerce raiding ship. When the Kearsarge found the Alabama off of the coast of the French port of Cherbourg, the two ships battled, and the Alabama was destroyed in less than an hour. The accuracy of the gun operated by Hayes was instrumental in sinking the ship. He was one of seventeen Kearsarge crewmembers to be awarded the Medal of Honor for their actions on that day. After the war, he remained in the US Navy until his discharge in 1868. Afterwards, he moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin and served on several ships that sailed the Great Lakes. He then became a farmer and in his final years, he went to Iowa to live with his daughter, where he died at the age of 78. His Medal of Honor citation reads: "Served on board the U.S.S. Kearsarge when she destroyed the Alabama off Cherbourg, France, 19 June 1864. Acting as second captain of the No. 2 gun during this bitter engagement, Hayes exhibited marked coolness and good conduct and was highly recommended for his gallantry under fire by the divisional officer."
American Civil War Medal of Honor Recipient. He was issued the award on December 31, 1864 for his actions as a coxswain assigned to the Navy sloop-of war USS Kearsarge on June 19, 1864, off the coast of Cherbourg, France (also known as the Battle of Cherbourg). A native of Newfoundland, Canada, he joined the US Navy in December 1861. On that day, he was serving as the second captain of the number two gun of the USS Kearsarge that was pursuing the Confederate blockade runner Alabama, a successful commerce raiding ship. When the Kearsarge found the Alabama off of the coast of the French port of Cherbourg, the two ships battled, and the Alabama was destroyed in less than an hour. The accuracy of the gun operated by Hayes was instrumental in sinking the ship. He was one of seventeen Kearsarge crewmembers to be awarded the Medal of Honor for their actions on that day. After the war, he remained in the US Navy until his discharge in 1868. Afterwards, he moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin and served on several ships that sailed the Great Lakes. He then became a farmer and in his final years, he went to Iowa to live with his daughter, where he died at the age of 78. His Medal of Honor citation reads: "Served on board the U.S.S. Kearsarge when she destroyed the Alabama off Cherbourg, France, 19 June 1864. Acting as second captain of the No. 2 gun during this bitter engagement, Hayes exhibited marked coolness and good conduct and was highly recommended for his gallantry under fire by the divisional officer."
Bio by: William Bjornstad
Inscription
MEDAL OF HONOR
COX US NAVY
CIVIL WAR
(on military marker)
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