Valor Friday

Hospital Corpsman David Hayden

Today’s Valor Friday honoree comes to us via a roundabout way, from Ex-PH2, to me and then on to our own Mason, who could, and does, do justice to the heroism of Hospital Corpsman David Hayden, USN, and his service in WWI.

Mason

This week I had some requests from Ex-PH2. In her recent stay in the hospital her attention was directed to two Navy Medical Corps heroes whose stories lined the hall at the hospital. The first was a man we’ve already visited; the most decorated medical officer in American history Vice Admiral Joel Thomas Boone. We explored his story, along with that of another legendary medical officer Army Major General Leonard Wood, almost exactly a year ago back on 3/22/19. That article can be found here: https://valorguardians.com/blog/?p=85680.

The second request was for World War I US Navy Hospital Corpsman David Hayden. He will be our subject for today.

Hayden enlisted at the age of 20 in October 1917 shortly after the US entered the raging, vicious war in Europe. Enlisting from his home in Florence, Texas he received basic training in San Diego and Corpsman training in Quantico.

As a Hospital Apprentice First Class (a rate changed to Pharmacist’s Mate Third Class during and after WWI) he was assigned to the American Expeditionary Force in France with the 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines.

The 2/6 Marines fought at the Battle of Belleau Wood, a battle which lasted the whole of the month of June, 1918. Starting on October 3rd, 1918 they led the offensive to retake Blanc Mont Ridge which pushed the Germans out of the Champagne region of France. Before the war ended, in the final major battle of the war, 2/6 Marines fought in the Meusse-Argonne Offensive in November, 1918. In September 1918 though Corpsman Hayden would find himself in a battle that would see him earn the nation’s highest honor.

September 12th saw the 2/6 Marines as part of a large scale, American led offensive in the area of Saint-Mihiel. The three day long battle was unique and historic for a few reasons.

The Battle of Saint-Mihiel was the first and only American-led offensive of the war. The nascent US Army Air Service played a large role in the battle, with nearly 1,500 aircraft assigned to the operation. Similarly, then-Lieutenant Colonel George Patton led his two newly formed battalions of armor in their first major engagement. Another historical footnote, this battle was the first time that the terms “D-Day” and “H-Hour” were used for planning purposes.

The result of this battle was a decisive victory for the Allies, in particular the Americans. Pershing’s meticulous planning, including large-scale combined arms operations, elevated the stature of the AEF among the French and British troops.

The Allied forces were also impressed by the lead from the front mentality for junior and field grade officers. British and Continental officers often directed the battle from behind their troops. American officers, such as Patton, preferred to be in the thick of the battle, believing that their presence would calm the chaos of combat. Patton even walked in front of his tanks into unsecured towns and rode on them into battle to inspire his troops.

It was on the final day of the Battle of Saint-Mihiel, September 15th, 1918, that David Hayden would distinguish himself in armed combat with the enemy near Thiacout, France.

A corporal in Hayden’s unit was struck down by machine gun fire during an advance across an open field. Caught in the open, the corporal was pinned down by heavy enemy fire. Hayden, with no regard for his own safety, rushed into the breach to attend to the corporal’s wounds. Upon arriving at the downed man, Hayden assessed his patient was mortally wounded and in need of immediate medical care. While under targeted enemy fire, and in the open, Hayden remained at the corporal’s side, dressing his wounds, before carrying the man back to the relative safety of friendly lines.

Hayden was wounded during his rescue, but the corporal’s life was saved due to his heroic efforts. For his gallantry in action, Hayden was awarded the Medal of Honor. He was also awarded a Silver Citation Star by the commander of the Second Division, A.E.F, none other than Major General John Lejeune. This was later upgraded to the Silver Star Medal. Similarly, Hayden received two wound chevrons for injuries sustained in combat. These were later upgraded to the Purple Heart. The 6th Marines (to include Hayden) also received the French Fourragere (which they and the 5th Marines wear to this day in honor of the bravery of these Marines) and Croix de Guerre three times (with two palms and a gilt star).

After the war Hayden remained in the Navy. He served aboard the troopship USS Princess Matoika until he mustered out in 1920. If you’re wondering who Princess Matoika was, the ship’s namesake is Pocahontas, with “Matoika” being a variant spelling of one of her names.

Hayden then joined the US Marshals, serving with them until the age of 70. That’s impressive. Chasing federal fugitives is a young man’s game to say the least. That means he retired in 1967 or 1968.

David Hayden died in 1974 at the age of 76. He is interred with many, many other American heroes at Arlington National Cemetery.

Thanks Ex, for pointing us to this incredible man’s story.

US Navy Medal of Honor

Citation:
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.
Hand Salute. Ready, Two!
Thanks Ex, and Mason, for another Valor Friday hero.

Category: Guest Post, Marines, Valor