Hayes, Riley Wilbur

Headstone of Riley Hayes

NPS Photo/B.Hayes

Quick Facts

Significance:

Americal Division

Place of Birth:

Cannon County, Tennessee

Date of Birth:

February 20, 1923

Place of Death:

Bougainville

Date of Death:

March 11, 1944

Place of Burial:

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Cemetery Name:

Stones River National Battlefield

Riley Wilbur Hayes was born on February 20, 1923, in Cannon County, Tennessee. As a young man, he answered the call to serve during World War II, enlisting in the U.S. Army and serving as a Private First Class with the Americal Division.

In the spring of 1944, Hayes and the Americal Division were participating in the campaign to capture the island of Bougainville in the Pacific Theater. On March 11, an artillery attack struck the division’s headquarters area. A shell hit the post kitchen where Hayes was located, critically wounding him. He later died from his injuries.

Riley Wilbur Hayes is buried at Stones River National Cemetery in plot P-6291, where he is remembered for his service and sacrifice far from home.