Joseph F. Hayes was born on January 30, 1948, and had one sister, Audrey. He was called “Buddy” by his family and friends. He attended Vineland High School where he was interested in football, track, basketball and weightlifting. He also loved rebuilding engines. He once put a Lincoln engine in a Ford Fairlane. His mother later nicknamed the car the “Black Devil”.
Joseph decided, while still in high school, that he wanted to join the Marine Corps. His father said, “We tried to talk him out of it. I promised him anything he wanted if he would stay in school and finish his education first, but he was an adventurous boy who had lost interest in school and had his heart set on the Marines”.
Joseph enlisted in the US Marine Corps from Vineland, NJ, in May of 1965. He received his basic training at Parris Island, SC, and graduated from aviation hydraulics system school at the Naval Air Training Center in Memphis, TN. It was here that he met and married his wife, Sandra Dean, in early 1966. He was soon assigned to Guantanamo Naval Station in Cuba. He attained the rank of Private First Class (PFC).
On his return from Cuba, Joseph requested transfer to an infantry unit. He left the United States for Vietnam on November 8, 1966.
Hayes was killed in action on January 7, 1967, while on patrol in the vicinity of Quang Tri, Vietnam. He died of head wounds he received when a 40 mm round exploded near his position.
Hayes was buried in Obion County Memorial Gardens in Union City, TN. Hayes was survived by his parents, sister, and wife.
Sources: Audrey Price (sister) and NJVVMF.
12/17/2024
