GEORGE PRICE HAYS PAPERS

Collection

Identifier: TMD61

Staff Only

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

The collection includes a typed copy of General Hays' memoir, limited correspondence, a Distinguished Service Medal citation and several biographical sketches prepared by the 10th Mountain Division Office of Public Relations. A copy of Hays' scrapbook also comprises a portion of the collection. The scrapbook contains newspaper clippings, photographs and correspondence. However, the pages are not numbered and all scrapbook materials are copies. Numerous photograph copies include Hays' handwritten notes.

Dates

1945-1978

Language of Materials

Materials are in English.

ACCESS:

The collection is open for research.

PUBLICATION RIGHTS:

All requests for permission to publish, reproduce, or quote from material in the collection should be discussed with the appropriate librarian or archivist. Permission for publication may be given on behalf of the Denver Public Library as the owner of the physical item. It is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which also must be obtained by the customer. The Library does not assume any responsibility for infringement of copyright or publication rights of the manuscript held by the writer, heirs, donors, or executors. Reproduction restrictions are decided on a case-by-case basis.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE

George Price Hays (1892-1978) was born on September 27, 1892, in Chefoo, China to Presbyterian missionary parents. Commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant on August 15, 1917, Hays was assigned to the 10th Field Artillery Battalion, which was attached to the 3rd Infantry Division. During World War I, while serving as a liaison officer at the Second Battle of the Marne, Hays rode horseback through intense enemy fire to maintain communications between artillery and infantry units. Seven horses were shot from under him before a thigh wound took him out of the battle. Hays received the Congressional Medal of Honor for this action. After recovering from his wounds, Hays fought in the Argonne Forest where he was awarded a Silver Star Medal. He also received both French and British decorations.

Between the two World Wars, Hays trained with several artillery units and attended the Army War College. He was promoted to Colonel on August 18, 1940 and Brigadier General on August 1, 1942. With the outbreak of World War II, Hays was assigned to command the Division Artillery for the 2nd Infantry Division. He participated in the Normandy invasion, wading ashore at Omaha Beach, France on D-Day plus 1, which was the day following the initial invasion. He spent 163 consecutive days in combat before he was ordered to return to the United States to take command of the 10th Mountain Division at Camp Swift, Texas on November 23, 1944.

After leading the 10th Mountain Division through the Apennines and Po River battles, Hays remained in the Army until his retirement in 1953. George Price Hays died on September 7, 1978 at his home in Pinehurst, North Carolina. Hays and his wife, Gladys had one son, one daughter and nine grandchildren.