A Marine's Story: Sergeant Major Charles John Hayes



Sergeant Major Charles John Hayes was born on December 23, 1878, in St. Mary's, Pennsylvania.

He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1897, deploying to Cuba during the Spanish American War. He returned stateside until deploying again to Nicaragua and then Mexico for the Occupation of Vera Cruz.

Sergeant Major Charles Hayes then deployed to France during World War I and participated in both the Aisne Marne Campaign and the St Mihiel Campaign. His final deployment was to Haiti in 1920.

He retired from the U.S. Marine Corps in 1930 and continued to serve the community through participation in the Elks Lodge and Moose Club. Sergeant Major Charles Hayes was also an active member of the American Legion.

He died on January 5, 1938, and rests at the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Wellsville, New York.

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a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller living in Salem, Virginia. 

In addition to her travel writings at www.takethebackroads.com, you can also read her book reviews at www.riteoffancy.com and US military biographies at www.everydaypatriot.com

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Location: St Marys, PA, USA

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