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Personal Memoirs of Lt. General George Price Hays, 1892-1978

 Collection
Identifier: 2014-025

Scope and Contents

Collection contains a photocopy of the Personal Memoirs of Lt. General George Price Hays, 1892-1978. Also includes a file of information on Hays and a newspaper article by Robert Darcy.

Dates

  • 2002

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research use. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, the Oklahoma Open Records Act (http://www.odl.state.ok.us/lawinfo/docs/2006-LibraryLaws-PartE.pdf), and other relevant regulations. Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical,... and personnel records. Researchers are advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to identifiable living individuals represented in this collection without the consent of those individuals may have legal ramifications (e.g., a cause of action under common law for invasion of privacy may arise if facts concerning an individual's private life are published that would be deemed highly offensive to a reasonable person) for which Oklahoma State University Libraries assumes no responsibility. See more

Conditions Governing Use

The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of copyright. Whenever possible, Oklahoma State University Archives will provide information about copyright owners and related information. Securing permission to publish or use material is the responsibility of the researcher. Note that unless specifically transferred to Oklahoma State University Libraries, any applicable copyrights may be held by another individual or entity.... Copyright for material published by Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical College/Oklahoma State University is held by the Board of Regents for the Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical Colleges. All rights reserved.

Further information about copyright policy can be obtained by contacting Oklahoma State University Archives by email at libscua@okstate.edu or by phone at 405-744-6311.

Finding aid © 2020 Board of Regents for the Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical Colleges. All rights reserved.

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Biographical Sketch

George Price Hays attended Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical College (O.A.M.C.) from 1914-1917. After enlisting in the Army on May 25, 1917, he was sent to France and later fought in the Second Battle of the Marne in July 1918. He graduated from OAMC in 1920 with a degree in Engineering.

During the Second Battle of the Marne, Hays was the liaison between two of the U.S. 3rd division’s units. After the French 125th division panicked... and retreated, exposing the U.S. 3rd division’s flank, the US 38th infantry helped the 3rd division hold its ground. As the communications liaison, Hays rode seven horses through dangerous cross-fire for two days without rest to take messages from command posts, artillery batteries, and trench forces.

All seven of Hays’ horses were shot out from under him, and he was severely wounded on July 16, 1918. Hailed as the hero of the 3rd division, Hays was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the Monte Negran medal of honor, and the French Croix de Guerre. He was also presented the Congressional Medal of Honor by General Pershing, commander-in-chief of the U.S. Army, on March 17, 1919.

Hays went on to serve in World War II, leading a division in the Normandy Invasion. He retired as a lieutenant general in 1953.

--from Peters, David C. “Seven Horses: From OAMC Student to World War I Hero.” OSU Magazine. Fall 2004: 30. See more

Extent

0.006 Linear feet (2 folders)

Language of Materials

English

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