John B. Hayes

For other people named John Hayes, see John Hayes (disambiguation).

Admiral John B. Hayes
Born	30 August 1924(1924-08-30) Jamestown, New York
Died	17 January 2001(2001-01-17) (aged 76) Florida Keys
Buried at	Arlington National Cemetery
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	Coast Guard
Years of service	1946-1982
Rank	Admiral
Commands held	Commandant of the Coast Guard 17th Coast Guard District
Awards	Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Merit Defense Meritorious Service Medal Joint Service Commendation Medal Coast Guard Commendation Medal

John Briggs Hayes (August 30, 1924-January 17, 2001) was a retired United States Coast Guard admiral who served as the 16th Commandant of the United States Coast Guard from 1978 to 1982.

He was born in Jamestown, New York and grew up in Bradford, Pennsylvania. Hayes graduated from the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut in 1946, although Academy records list him in the Class of 1947. His first command assignment was at the LORAN Transmitting Station in Matsumae, Hokkaidō, Japan. After a series of Coast Guard cutter command assignments, he attended the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island. Upon his graduation, he was stationed in Washington, D.C., where he graduated from George Washington University, earning an M.A. in international affairs.

From 1966 to 1968, he assumed a command post, stationed in Vietnam, during the war. Returning to Washington, he was promoted to Captain and assigned to the USCG Office of Boating Safety, followed by his service as Commandant of Cadets at the Coast Guard Academy. From 1975 until his appointment as Coast Guard Commandant, he served as Commander of the Juneau, Alaska-based 17th Coast Guard District.

Under Hayes' leadership, the Coast Guard accomplished a number of firsts for women in the military, including the assignment of Lieutenant (junior grade) Beverly Kelley as the first female commanding officer of a U.S. military vessel, and Lieutenant Kay Hartzell as the first female to command an isolated U.S. military unit.

Following his retirement from the Coast Guard, Hayes moved to Boothbay, Maine. He died while vacationing in the Florida Keys after being struck by a car at the age of 76. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

Hayes was an Eagle Scout and recipient of the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award.

References

Military offices
Preceded by Owen W. Siler	Commandant of the Coast Guard 1978-1982	Succeeded by James S. Gracey