Delbert Bob Hayes, World War II CasualtyPorter County Data on World War II Casualties . . . .

Delbert Bob Hayes
Private, 11th Airborne Infantry Battalion, 11th Division
Date of Birth: October 7, 1923
Date of Death: August 12, 1945
Burial: Graceland Cemetery, Valparaiso, Porter County, Indiana
Cause of Death: Aircraft Mishap (Lita Airstrip, Batangas, Luzon)
Date of Enlistment: December 10, 1942
Awards: Purple Heart (2), Oak Cluster
Hometown: Valparaiso

Newspaper Notices:

War Victim To Be Buried
Delbert Hayes Rites Are Scheduled For Saturday Morning

The body of Pvt. Delbert (Bob) Hayes, killed in a plane crash in New Guinea on V-J day, will arrive in Valparaiso Tuesday and will be taken to the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Bert Swift, Sr., 1061 Farrell street to remain until 11 a. m. Saturday, when it will be taken to St. Andrew's Episcopal church. Funeral rites will be held at 2 p. m. Saturday in the church with the Rev. Samuel H. N. Elliott officiating. Full military rites will be conducted with Charles Pratt Post No. 94, American Legion, in charge. Burial will be in Graceland cemetery.

The decedent was born in Kansas City, Mo., Oct. 7, 1923, and came to Valparaiso when he was three years of age. He attended the Valparaiso city schools, and was a member of Boy Scout troops No. 7. Before entering the service he was employed in the McGill bearing division. He was a member of the Moose lodge, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Porter County Conservation club.

Pvt. Hayes enlisted in the service Dec. 7, 1942, and obtained his early training at Camp Chaffee, Ark.; Camp Campbell, Ky., and Nashville, Tenn., with the 14th Armored Division. He then volunteered for paratroop duty and was sent to Fort Benning, Ga., Oct. 7, 1944, on his 21st birthday, he was home on leave Dec. 2, 1944, he was sent overseas and assigned to the 11th Airborne Infantry Battalion, 11th Division.

His battle record included service in Dutch New Guinea, southern Philippines and Luzon. He met death Aug. 12, 1945, in a plane crash on Lita airstrip, Batangas, Luzon, in which 11 were killed and six injured.

His military awards included Distinguished Unit badge and Presidential citation, World War II Victory ribbon, Parachute badge, Expert badge with rifle, Carbine 57 MM bar; Philippine Liberation ribbon with bronze star; New Guinea, South Philippine and Luzon campaign stars, two Purple Hearts, one oak cluster, Good Conduct medal, American theater ribbon, Asiatic-Pacific theater ribbon with bronze stars.

Surviving besides his parents are a foster sister, Mrs. Harry Swartz, Niles, Mich.; a foster brother, Bert E. Swift, Jr., Valparaiso; three nieces, and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Saturday at 11 a. m. at St. Andrew's Episcopal church, the Rev. Elliott will conduct requiem eucharist mass for Pvt. Hayes. Friends may call at the church from 11:30 a. m. Saturday until time of services at 2 p. m.

Frank Clark, of Rexbury, Mass., who was a buddy in the service with Pvt. Hayes, has arrived here and will be a guest in the Swift home until after the services. 
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Source: The Vidette-Messenger, Valparaiso, Porter County, Indiana; February 14, 1949; Volume 22, Number 188, Page 1, Column 2


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Information abstracted and transcribed by Steven R. Shook

 

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