Robert W. Hayler

Robert Ward Hayler
VADM Robert W. Hayler, USN
Born	(1891-06-07)June 7, 1891 Sandusky, Ohio
Died	November 17, 1980(1980-11-17) (aged 89) Carmel, California
Buried	Arlington National Cemetery
Allegiance	United States of America
Service / branch	United States Navy
Years of service	1914 – 1952
Rank	Vice admiral
Service number	0-8611
Commands	Sixth Naval district Cruiser Division Twelve USS Honolulu (CL-48) Naval Torpedo Station Alexandria USS Melvin (DD-335) USS Howard (DD-179)
Battles / wars	Veracruz Expedition World War I World War II Aleutian Islands campaign Battle of Guadalcanal Battle of Tassafaronga Battle of Kula Gulf Bougainville campaign Battle of Saipan Battle of Tinian Battle of Leyte Gulf Battle of Surigao Strait
Awards	Navy Cross (3) Silver Star Legion of Merit (2) Bronze Star Medal (2) Navy Commendation Medal

Robert Ward Hayler (June 7, 1891 - November 17, 1980) was a highly decorated officer in the United States Navy with the rank of Vice admiral. He was a three time recipient of the Navy Cross, the Navy's second highest military decoration for valor. Two of these awards received while served as Commanding officer of light cruiser USS Honolulu at Guadalcanal and Kula Gulf and third as Rear admiral and Commander, Cruiser Division Twelve during the Battle of Surigao Strait in October 1944.

Following the War, Hayler remained in the Navy and served as Commandant, Sixth Naval district or President, Permanent General Court Martial for Ninth Naval District until his retirement in July 1953. He was also the namesake of USS Hayler (DD-997).

Early career

Robert Ward Hayler was born on June 7, 1891 in Sandusky, Ohio to Edward G. Hayler (1864-1939), a railroad commercial agent and Nellie Gould-Hayler (1864-1939). He spent much of his youth in Muncie, Indiana where he graduated from high school in summer 1909. Hayler subsequently earned an appointment to the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland, where he was active in football and also served as manager of the football team.

Among his classmates were many future admirals during World War II, including John H. Brown Jr., William K. Harrill, Joseph R. Redman, Robert W. Cary Jr., John B. W. Waller, Wilder D. Baker, Carleton F. Bryant, Richard L. Conolly, Oliver Kessing, Frank L. Lowe, Edward L. Cochrane, Ralph O. Davis and Edward Ellsberg.

Hayler graduated with Bachelor of Science degree on June 6, 1914 and was commissioned Ensign on that date. He was subsequently attached to the battleship USS Georgia and took part in the patrolling in Caribbean and in the Mexican waters during Mexican Revolution. Following the United States' entry into World War I, Hayler was transferred to the battleship USS Oklahoma and participated in the naval operations with the British Grand Fleet in the North Sea, Scapa Flow and Orkney islands. He was promoted to Lieutenant (junior grade) on June 6, 1917 and to temporary rank of Lieutenant on August 31 that year.

Interwar period

Following the War, Hayler was ordered to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston for postgradual course in engineering, which he completed with Master of Science degree in October 1920. He was subsequently ordered to the Washington Navy Yard, where he completed instruction in naval ordnance and assumed command of destroyer USS Howard in July 1921. Hayler commanded Howard during the series of exercises off the coast of San Diego, California, including torpedo practice, patrol, battle practices, and exercises with submarines.

He was detached in January 1922 and assigned to the destroyer tender USS Rigel homeported at San Diego. Hayler was transferred to the Naval Torpedo Station at Newport, Rhode Island in August 1924 and remained there until August 1926, when he was transferred to the staff of Destroyer Squadron 9, Scouting Fleet as Gunnery officer. He was meanwhile promoted to Lieutenant commander on January 8, 1925.

Hayler returned to the Naval Torpedo Station at Newport, Rhode Island in July 1929 and remained there until May 1931, when he was assigned to the light cruiser USS Omaha under the command of Captain Andrew C. Pickens. Hayler served with her in the Caribbean and Atlantic and was transferred to the staff of Commander, Scouting Force under Vice admiral Arthur L. Willard.

In June 1934, Hayler began his third tour at Naval Torpedo Station and was promoted to Commander on June 1, 1935. He was appointed Commander, Destroyer Division 28 aboard destroyer USS Southard in June 1937 and served in the Pacific with the Battle Force for two years. Hayler was then appointed Officer-in-Charge, Naval Torpedo Station Alexandria, Virginia in July 1939 and following his promotion to Captain on September 1, 1940, he was appointed Inspector of Ordnance in Charge of the Alexandria Torpedo Station. He was later decorated with Navy Commendation Medal for this assignment.

World War II

USS Honolulu

The light cruiser Honolulu, which Hayler commanded between July 1942 and March 1944.

Collapsed bow of the light cruiser Honolulu, after she was torpedoed in the Battle of Kolombangara on July 13, 1943. Hayler was able to return with his ship to the U.S. for repairs.

Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and United States entry into World War II, Hayler still served at Newport, but requested sea duty and was appointed Commanding officer of light cruiser USS Honolulu in July 1942. He immediately led his ship to the Aleutian Islands in North Pacific ocean in August that year and took part in the bombardment of Kiska. Hayler then returned with Honolulu to Mare Island Navy Yard for some upgrades and repairs and embarked for South Pacific, escorting a convoy to Nouméa, New Caledonia in early November 1942.

Later that month, Honolulu sailed from Espiritu Santo in the New Hebrides Islands to intercept a Japanese Navy convoy attempting to reinforce their positions on Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands. During the Battle of Tassafaronga on the night of November 30, 1942, Hayler and his Honolulu were part of the task force of five cruisers and six destroyers which attacked Japanese convoy and sunk one enemy destroyer. But Japanese returned fire and damaged four cruiser, ultimately sinking Northampton. Hayler maintained his station in the formation, firing effectively with every weapons at his command. His seamanship in bringing the Honolulu through without damage under extremely adverse conditions and his leadership under fire were direct factors in the destruction of several Japanese ships and contributed to the turning back of the enemy forces. For his service at Tassafaronga, Hayler was decorated with his first Navy Cross, the Navy's second highest military decoration for valor.

Honolulu operated out of Espiritu Santo in early 1943 in an attempt to engage the "Tokyo Express" and received Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V" for his service. During May, she engaged in bombardments of New Georgia in the Solomons supporting the landings on Rendova Island on July 4, 1943. Two days later, Hayler led Honolulu during the Battle of Kula Gulf, knocking out one enemy destroyer and assisting in the destruction of others. For his service on Rendova and Kula Gulf, Hayler received his second Navy Cross.

Hayler then led Honolulu during the Battle of Kolombangara on July 12, 1943, when he participated in the intercepting of Japanese troop convoy. In the ensuing action, the Japanese sunk one Allied destroyer and damaged three cruisers. They were also able to successfully land 1,200 ground troops on the western coast of Kolombangara but lost one light cruiser sunk with all hands in the process. Hayler handled his ship with superb tactical skill, evading three of the hostile torpedoes and eventually, when his vessel was hit, he directed the control of damage with cool courage and outstanding ability and finally brought his ship safely into port. For his service at Kolombangara, he was decorated with Silver Star.

However the torpedo, which hit the Honolulu, blew off her bow as far back as the forward turret, and the ship received a torpedo hit in the stern and Hayler was forced to retire to Tulagi for temporary repairs, and then departed for the large naval base at Pearl Harbor, arriving in mid-August 1943. The damage was so serious, that Honolulu was ordered to Mare Island Navy Yard, near San Francisco for more work. The repairs were completed in mid-November and Hayler led Honolulu back to the combat area in South Pacific.

After return to Pacific in December 1943, Hayler led Honolulu during the bombardment of Bougainville, where destroyed concentration of troops, supply and barges. He then took part in the screen operations during the landings at Green Island and then withdrawn from the area in order to prepare for Mariana Islands Operation. For his service with Honolulu, Hayler and his crew were entitled to wear Navy Unit Commendation.

Flag assignments

Hayler (right with glasses) relieves “Tip” Merrill (left) as Commander, Cruiser Division 12 on March 26, 1944.

Hayler (right) and Captain Robert B. Simons, USN, Commander of the Naval Torpedo Station Alexandria examines paperwork at circa 1945. Hayler commanded the station in 1939-1942.

Hayler was promoted to Rear admiral in March 1944 and succeeded Aaron S. Merrill as Commander, Cruiser Division 12, which consisted of the Clevland-class light cruisers Cleveland, Columbia, Montpelier, his flagship Denver and several destroyers. He then participated in the assaults in the Marianas, capturing Saipan, Tinian and Palau and received Legion of Merit with Combat "V" and second Bronze Star Medal for his services.

By the end of October 1944, Hayler's Division participated in the Battle of Surigao Strait, (last battleship-to-battleship action in history) during the recapture of Philippines. With United States cruiser units executing a strategic maneuver as the tactically disposed destroyer units initiated a series of deadly torpedo attacks against a formidable column of Japanese battleships, cruisers and destroyers advancing under cover of darkness toward our waiting forces, Hayler directed his division into advantageous striking position on the left flank despite extremely hazardous conditions and, ordering the fire of his gun batteries with precise timing in a sudden coordinated onset, delivered a Naval bombardment from his man-of-war, surprising the enemy and aiding materially in putting him to rout in Japanese-controlled waters.

Detached from his Task Force to pursue the fleeing warships, he resolutely held to an undeviating course, moving in for the kill with swift, inexorable fury and overtaking the remnants of the battered enemy Task Force to join other friendly units in dealing the death blows which brought the decisive action to a close and completed the annihilation of a large and vital portion of the Japanese Fleet. For his part in the battle, Hayler was decorated with his third Navy Cross.

In late 1944, Hayler and his ships then supported amphibious invasion on Leyte, the largest amphibious operation in the Southeast Pacific Area and received his second Legion of Merit for the leadership of his ships. He was detached in March 1945 and ordered back to the United States, where he served as a member of the General Board of the Navy until the end of War.

Postwar career

Vice Admiral Hayler (left) and his sons Robert Jr. and William at Long Beach, California in 1961.

Following the War, Hayler remained in the Navy and assumed duty as a Senior member of the Board of Decorations and Medal in the Office of Chief of Naval Operations under Fleet admiral Chester Nimitz and Admiral Louis E. Denfeld. He was ordered to Charleston Navy Yard, South Carolina, where he assumed duty as Commandant, Sixth Naval district. While in this capacity, Hayler was responsible for the geographic areas of South Carolina, Georgia, and North Carolina.

Hayler served in this capacity until June 30, 1951, when he retired from Navy service, but remained on active duty and assumed duty as President, Permanent General Court Martial for Ninth Naval District with headquarters at Naval Station Great Lakes, Illinois. He remained in that assignment until December 1952, when he retired for second time after 38 years of service and was advanced to the rank of Vice admiral on the retired list for having been specially commended in combat.

He settled in Carmel, California and was active in the Naval Order of the United States. Vice admiral Hayler died of pneumonia at his home on November 17, 1980, aged 89 and was buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia. His wife, Nola Birch Hayler (1895-1974) is buried beside him. They had two sons: Robert Jr. and William B., who both served in the Navy and retired as Captains.

Awards and decorations

Here is the ribbon bar of Vice admiral Hayler:

1st Row	Navy Cross with two 5⁄16" Gold Stars					Silver Star
2nd Row	Legion of Merit with Combat "V" and one 5⁄16" Gold Star				Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V" and one 5⁄16" Gold Star				Navy Commendation Medal
3rd Row	Navy Unit Commendation				Mexican Service Medal				World War I Victory Medal with Fleet Clasp
4th Row	American Defense Service Medal				American Campaign Medal				Asiatic–Pacific Campaign Medal with one silver and two bronze 3/16 inch service stars
5th Row	World War II Victory Medal				National Defense Service Medal				Philippine Liberation Medal with two stars

See also

• USS Honolulu

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from Robert W. Hayler. United States Navy.