WHEREABOUTS
Aviation Cadet Roger W. Hayes, son of Mr. and Mrs. C. S. Hayes, of Oak Park, Ill, formerly of Mason City, has recently been sent to Cal Aero, Ontario, Cal, for primary training after completing a nine week ground course at Santa Ana, Cal. He enlisted in the medical crops at Mason City in January and later transferred to the air corps. He is also a ember of the post band at Cal Aero.
His brother, P. F. C. Ralph S. Hayes, is an assistant in the dental clinic at Camp San Luis Obispo, Cal. He enlisted in the medical corps in January.
Source: The Globe Gazette, Mason City, Iowa, Wednesday, September 02, 1942, Page 5
VISITS HERE
Lt. Roger W. Hayes, son of Mr. and Mrs. C. S. Hayes, Oak Park, Ill., recently visited friends and relatives in Mason City. He is a pilot on a B-24 Liberators, stationed at Blythe, Cal. His brother, Aviation Cadet Ralph S. Hayes, has completed his pre-flight training at Santa Ana, Cal., and has been transferred to Cal Aero, Ontario, Cal.
Source: The Globe Gazette, Mason City, Iowa, Tuesday, June 01, 1943, Page 3 (photo included)
Your Neighbors in the
KHAKI and BLUE
What They Are Doing
Lt. Roger W. Hayes, son of Mr. and Mrs. C. S. Hayes, Oak Park, Ill., has arrived in England, according to word received here by relatives. He is a 1st pilot on a liberator bomber with a crew of 10 men.
Aviation Ralph S. Hayes has completed primary training at Cal Aero, Ontario, Cal, and is now taking basic flight training at Gardner field, Taft, Cal. Both are former Mason Cityans, grandsons of Mr. E. Welker and nephews of Mrs. W. J. Hart and George Welker of 114 [illegible] street southeast.
Source: The Globe Gazette, Mason City, Iowa, Monday, August 30, 1943, Page 3
Lt Roger W. Hayes Missing
in Action Over Holland
Was Liberator Bomber Pilot;
Saw Overseas Service 3 Months
Lt. Roger W. Hayes has been reported missing in action over the coast of Holland since Oct. 18, according to word received from the adjutant general’s office in Washington by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles S. Hayes, now of Oak Park, Ill. Lieutenant Hayes was a liberator bomber pilot. No details of the mission were received.
Lieutenant Hayes is a graduate of the Mason City high school, class of 1937 and attended the junior college. He enlisted in the army air corps in May, 1942, and was sent to Santa Ana, Cal., for pre-flight training. He took his primary training at Cal Aero academy, Ontario [Cal.], and his basic training at Polaris Flight academy, Lancaster, Cal. He was graduated from the army air forces advanced flying school at La Junta, Cal., Feb. 6, 1943, received his wings and was commissioned a 2nd lieutenant. Following this he received his tactical training at Alamogordo and Clovis, N. Mex. He had been overseas about 3 months.
Aviation Cadet Ralph S. Hayes, a brother, has completed his basic training at Gardner field, Cal., and is now taking advanced pilot training at Douglas field, Douglas, Ariz. His class will be graduated Dec. 5. Both boys are the sons of C. S. Hayes who operated the Kirk service garage at 11 2nd N. W. in Mason City.
Source: The Globe Gazette, Mason City, Iowa, Thursday, November 04, 1943, Page 22
One Son Arrives in England;
Other Still Listed Missing
Former Residents of Mason City
Sent Word About Sons
Flight Officer Ralph S. Hayes has arrived safely in England, according to word received by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. C. S. Hayes of Oak Park, Ill., formerly of Mason City.
Officer Hayes is a B-17 first pilot and received his wings at Douglas, Ariz., last Dec. 5. On Feb. 7 he was married to Miss Norma Jean Boyd, daughter of Mrs. and Mrs. N. F. Boyd of Omaha, also former Mason City residents. Mrs. Hayes remained with her husband until he left for the east coast in June. She recently visited in Mason City with relatives and friends and will resume her work with the Bell telephone system in Omaha, Aug. 1.
Mr. and Mrs. Hayes also received a letter this month from the war department stating that they had further information regarding their other son, Lt. Roger W. Hayes, who was reported missing in action, Oct. 18, 1943. The letter read in part:
“Your son, a member of a B-24 bomber crew departed from England on a bombardment mission to continental Europe on Oct. 18, 1943. Full details are not available but the report indicated that during this mission our planes encountered enemy aircraft and in the ensuing battle your son’s Liberator sustained damage.
“This occurred about 1:25 p. m. off the coast of Holland over the North sea. The crew members of returning planes were unable to give further information with reference to the disappearance of this bomber.”
Lt. Hayes was a first pilot but because of illness in a number of cases was acting as co-pilot on this particular mission.
This is the first information received from the war department since the telegram in October but almost identical word came from friends in England shortly after the mishap, it was stated.
Source: The Globe Gazette, Mason City, Iowa, Monday, July 31, 1944, Page 5 (photo included)
Lt. Hayes, Missing in 1943;
Presumed Officially Dead
Parents Receive Letter From
War Department Setting Date of Death
Mr. and Mrs. Charles S. Hayes of Oak Park, Ill., formerly of Mason City, have been informed by the adjutant general’s office that their son, Lt. Roger W. Hayes, reported missing in action on Oct. 18, 1943, is now presumed dead.
Since more than a year has elapsed and no evidence has been obtained to support a survival, a presumptive date of death has been set by the war department as of Oct. 19, 1944, or one day following the expiration of 12 months missing status, stated the official communication received.
Lt. Hayes was a B-24 Liberator pilot with the 8th air force based in England. His plane was last seen about 60 miles off the coast of Holland over the North sea when it entered a cloud while under attack by enemy fighter planes. None of the crew of 10 has been accounted for.
Lt. Hayes enlisted in the medical corps at Mason City in January, 1942, and transferred to the air corps in May. He received his wings at La Junta, Colo., Feb. 6, 1943, and was commissioned a 2nd lieutenant. He received his combat crew training in New Mexico and went overseas in July of the same year.
Roger was born in Mason City, Dec. 11, 1919. He attended the Mason City and Storm Lake schools, returning to Mason City when a high school junior. He was a graduate of the class of 1937 and attended junior college one year. He was a member of the high school concert and marching bands and participated in junior college football.
Before entering the service he was employed by his father at the Kirk Service garage and by Johnston’s Flower shop. He was a member of the First Methodist church of Storm Lake.
Besides his parents he leaves a brother, Lt. Ralph S. Hayes, a B-17 pilot of a lead plane of the 8th air force in England. Also surviving are his grandmother, Mrs. Emma Welker, his uncle George R. Welker and his aunt, Mrs. W. J. Hart, all of Mason City.
Source: The Globe Gazette, Mason City, Iowa, Tuesday, February 13, 1945, Page 12 (photo included)
