[Thomas L. Hayes, Jr. oral history interview (Part 1 of 2)]

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Identifier2002-02-13-1139_AV_097SourceThe American Fighter Aces Association Oral Interviews (2002-02-13-1139)CreatorAmerican Fighter Aces AssociationIntervieweeHayes, Thomas L., Jr.InterviewerHammel, Eric M.DescriptionAudio recording of an oral history with fighter ace Thomas L. Hayes, Jr., conducted by interviewer Eric M. Hammel, February 19, 1992. Part 1 of 2.

Text on label: "Thomas Hayes. 2/19/92."AbstractIn this two-part oral history, fighter ace Thomas L. Hayes, Jr. is interviewed about his military service with the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. In part one, he describes his wartime experiences as a fighter pilot, including his time in the South Pacific with the 35th Pursuit Group and his time in Europe with the 357th Fighter Group. Topics discussed include his training and service history, his missions in Java with the 17th Provisional Squadron, and his missions in France and Germany with the 364th Fighter Squadron. Special focus on a bomber escort mission to Berlin on March 6, 1944 in which Hayes’s squadron scored several aerial victories.

The interview is conducted via telephone by historian Eric M. Hammel. Note that the audio may be difficult to hear in some spots due to a buzzing noise caused by the phone recording.BiographyThomas L. Hayes, Jr. was born on March 13, 1917 in Portland, Oregon. He joined the United States Army Air Corps in 1940 and graduated from flight training the following year. Initially assigned to the 35th Pursuit Group, Hayes served in Australia, Java, and New Guinea until October 1942, when he returned to the United States to help train new pilots. In 1943, he joined the 357th Fighter Group as commander of the 364th Fighter Squadron, based in England. He was later promoted to deputy group commander and joined the group headquarters staff. Remaining in the military after the air, Hayes’s postwar assignments include commanding the 65th and 86th Air Divisions and serving at the North American Air Defense Command (NORAD) headquarters. He retired as a brigadier general in 1970 and passed away in 2008.Creation Date1992-02-19SubjectAces (Fighter pilots)Air pilots, MilitaryBell P-39 Airacobra FamilyFighter pilotsHayes, Thomas L., Jr.North American P-51 Mustang FamilyUnited States. Army Air ForcesUnited States. Army Air Forces. Fighter Group, 357thUnited States. Army Air Forces. Fighter Squadron, 364thUnited States. Army. Air CorpsUnited States. Army. Air Corps. Provisional Pursuit Squadron, 17thUnited States. Army. Air Corps. Pursuit Group, 35thWorld War, 1939-1945PlaceAustraliaGermanyIndonesiaJava (Indonesia)Extent1 sound cassette (1 hr., 33 min.) : analog ; 4 x 2.5 inOriginal Formatoral histories (literary works)audiocassettesBibliographic CitationThe American Fighter Aces Association Materials/The Museum of FlightRightsIn copyrightTranscription[Thomas L. Hayes, Jr. oral history interview (Part 1 of 2)]

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[Thomas L. Hayes, Jr. oral history interview (Part 1 of 2)]