National Guard
Charles S. Hayes first enlisted in the Active National Guard of MS on February 11, 1936 and served in Company D of the 155th Infantry until September 25, 1937. He also served in the inactive National Guard in the 155th Infantry from September 24, 1937 to January 2, 1939. He was honorably discharged as a private in the National Guard Reserves with excellent character.
Navy Enlistment
Hayes would enlist in the US Navy on December 13, 1938 in New Orleans, LA. He would enlist as an Apprentice Seaman agreeing to serve for a minimum of 4 years.
Navy Training
After enlistment Hayes would first be sent to the US Naval Training Station, Norfolk, Va. to train till his first placement in 1939. Charles would complete his navy training course for Seaman1c on September 11, 1939. He finished this training with a mark of 3.08. He would complete the training course for Storekeeper 3c on January 23, 1941 with a mark of 3.50.
Navy Service
The first ship Hayes was stationed on was the USS Pecos starting on July 6, 1939. Hayes would need medical treatment while serving on the USS Pecos in February of 1940 and would be sent to US Naval Hospital, Canacao, P.I. Hayes would be transferred off the USS Pecos on February 10, 1940 on sick leave before being stationed on USS Bittern on June 7, 1940. He would then be stationed on the USS Pecos (AO 6) again later in 1940 in Asiatic.
In 1940 Hayes underwent an assessment for advancement. In this assessment he received all 4s and was recommended for advancement to Seaman First Class. He had previously completed his navy training course for Seaman1c on September 11, 1939 finishing with a mark of 3.08. Hayes was a Seaman 2nd Class during this evaluation and was serving on the USS Bittern. He was granted the promotion to Seaman First Class on August 16, 1940.
On January 27, 1941 Hayes was once again examined for a promotion this time a promotion to Storekeeper 3c. This examination occurred while he was serving on the USS Pecos. He was approved and granted this promotion,
On July 26, 1940 Hayes was approved and given a promotion from Storekeeper 3c to Storekeeper 2c.
On February 4, 1942 a letter was sent in response to a Miss Hayes Kitty that had been sent on January 30th inquiring about her brother’s health. In this letter she says that Hayes was sent to serve on the USS Pecos in the spring of 1939 and there was regular correspondence from him until November of 1941.[1] Randall Jacobs, Chief of Bureau, informed her that Hayes’ name had not been reported on any causality lists and that he was serving on the USS Pecos and that communications could be sent to him there.[2] Another similar letter was sent previously on January 23, 1942 by a Mr. Dan R. McGehee from the House of Representatives. Chief of Bureau responded in a similar fashion as he did to Kitty’s letter.
On July 26, 1940 Hayes was approved and given a promotion from Storekeeper 3c to Storekeeper 2c.
On February 4, 1942 a letter was sent in response to a Miss Hayes Kitty that had been sent on January 30th inquiring about her brother’s health. In this letter she says that Hayes was sent to serve on the USS Pecos in the spring of 1939 and there was regular correspondence from him until November of 1941.[1] Randall Jacobs, Chief of Bureau, informed her that Hayes’ name had not been reported on any causality lists and that he was serving on the USS Pecos and that communications could be sent to him there.[2] Another similar letter was sent previously on January 23, 1942 by a Mr. Dan R. McGehee from the House of Representatives. Chief of Bureau responded in a similar fashion as he did to Kitty’s letter.