Frank Hayes and Minnie "Pete" Craig

Frank Hayes

Franklin Walter Hayes, son of Fred and Maggie Hayes, was born August 11, 1924.

Frank Hayes 

Frank's World War II enlistment was dated July 21, 1944, at Fort Bragg. At the time, he had completed high school and was a "farm hand;" his reported weight was 100 pounds.

Frank served in the 82nd Airborne Div. Fort Bragg, NC, Paratrooper, Stationed and Trained: Fort Bragg NC, Military rank: PFC, Drafted in to the Army July 21, 1944, Honorable Discharged June 29, 1946. He served in USA and in Europe; Expert Sharpshooter with M-l Rifle; Guarded General Ridgeway while in France. Medals won: American Theater, EAME Service Medal with one Bronze Star; Good Conduct Medal; World War II Victory Medal.

Minnie "Pete" Craig Hayes
 

"Pete" Hayes said Frank was an expert marksman both at home (hunting rabbits) and while in the 82 Airborne. After Frank’s training at Fort Bragg NC, Frank was sent overseas to France during WWII. This was toward the end of the war. It seems that Frank’s marksmanship was highly respected. Once in France and then moved in to Germany, he was assigned personally to General Ridgeway as the General's guard. Frank stood guard at the General’s tent at night and was with the General during the day. Frank made several paratrooper jumps while in Germany. This was done mostly at night. He always said he was "pushed" rather than jumping on his own.

"Pete" and Frank

On November 28, 1946, Frank married Minnie "Pete" Craig, born May 25, 1927, to Welch Washington Craig and Sarah Minnie Kiker.

• Craig Franklin Hayes was born July 26, 1952. He married Denise Adrienne Reed on December 10, 1994.

Frank died September 5, 1978 at only 54 years of age. "Pete" died on March  25, 2016. Both were buried in Lakeland Memorial Park in Monroe.

Frank and Sister Alice

Brothers Steve, Nelson, and Frank Hayes