HOMER EDWARD HAYES
Col. Homer Edward Hayes, retired U.S.A.F., 86, passed away on Monday, Dec. 27, 2010, at Britthaven Nursing Home.
Col. Hayes was born in Vandergrift, Pa., on Feb. 17, 1924, to the late Paul and Harriett Hall Hayes. He was married to Mildred LeLanchan Hayes who preceded him in death on Aug. 22, 2010. Col. Hayes entered the Aviation Cadet Program in August of 1942 at the age of 18 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant and as a rated pilot in November of 1943. He served a combat tour in Europe from March of 1944 to April of 1945 and flew 115 combat missions in a P-47 Thunderbolt. Col. Hayes had staff assignments in major commands and a number of Air Force Bases plus fighter units from 1945 to 1947. He also served combat tours in Sea-125 missions from Thailand in F-4 Phantom Jets.
Col. Hayes retired in 1973 from the United States Air Force with 30 years of honorable service to his country. While serving his country he was awarded the following medals: the Legion of Merit with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the DFC with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal with 28 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the U.S.A.F. Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Belgian Army Fourgerre with a Palm.
Graveside services with full military honors will be held in Arlington National Cemetery.
Col. Hayes is survived by his sons, Paul Hayes and wife Leary of Georgia and Brian Hayes and wife Barbara of Fayetteville; his daughter, Rebecca Teal of Goldsboro; his grandchildren, Kendra and Tommy Tolley, Ann and Steve Winburn, Virginia and Justin Russell, Christopher Teal, Morgan Teal and Chad Wade; and five great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Helen Lodgan of Virginia; and his brothers, Richard Hayes of Maryland and Gene Hayes of Wilmington.
In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Harriett Hayes and his great-granddaughter, Faith.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Order of the Daedalians, P.O. Box 10001, Goldsboro, NC 27532 or to the First Flight Society, P.O. Box 1903, Kitty Hawk, NC 27949.
The family will receive friends Saturday, Jan. 1, 2011, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Seymour Funeral Home.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.seymourfuneralhome.com.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on December 28, 2010 1:47 PM