Medal of Honor - HA1c David E. Hayden

Towards the end of WWI, Allied forces made considerable progress with driving back the Germans. The Saint-Mihiel salient was in their sights, and it soon became the objective for the United States. The Germans knew this attack was coming, and they prepared by digging multiple trenches, setting up wire obstacles, and positioning machine guns that covered the avenues of approach. This battle was mainly a US Army operation, and they did a phenomenal job pushing through the Germans. This credit can be given to the small unit leaders, as well as Patton and MacArthur, for leading from the front lines.

Marines were attached to army units, and the Sixth Marines followed the 23d infantry into battle on September 12. Three days later, HA1c David E. Hayden put his life in danger to help a fallen Marine. Cpl Creed was hit by enemy machine gun fire while trying to cross an open field. Realizing the seriousness of his wounds, HA1c Hayden disregarded his safety and dressed them in the field despite continuous enemy fire. He then carried the Marines back to safety. For this inspiring and selfless act of bravery, he received the Medal of Honor. His citation reads:

For gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. During the advance, when Cpl. Creed was mortally wounded while crossing an open field swept by machinegun fire, Hayden unhesitatingly ran to his assistance and, finding him so severely wounded as to require immediate attention, disregarded his own personal safety to dress the wound under intense machinegun fire, and then carried the wounded man back to a place of safety.

Before leaving the service, he reached the rank of pharmacist’s mate third class. As a civilian, Mr. Hayden spent the next 34 years as a deputy U.S. Marshal before retiring at 70. He passed away following a brief illness at 76 in Fresno, California, on March 18, 1974. He was laid to rest with full military honors in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.

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