Charles Hayes was serving on the USS Pecos on March 1, 1942 when the USS Langley was taken down. The survivors were transferred onto the USS Pecos and they were on route to Freemantle, Australia. While on route the Pecos was attacked by carrier based enemy dive bombers. The Pecos distress signal was received by the USS Whippie who arrived in time to save 220 men who were floating among the debris. The Whippie attacked a nearby submarine while the rescue was going on before continuing to Freemantle, Australia. Hayes was not among the men picked up by the Whippie and no further information was every obtained as to his whereabouts.
On March 28, 1942 Mr. Hayes received a telegram informing him that his son, Charles Hayes, had been declared missing. In this telegram it was requested that his parents do not divulge the name of the ship he was serving on or his station.
In May of 1942 Mr. and Mrs. Hayes wrote a letter to Senator Theo G. Bilbo informing them that they had received a telegram on March 28th informing them that Charles had been declared missing but had heard nothing since and had not been able to obtain any new information. They requested that the senator attempt to gain information on their behalf. The Senator forwarded the letter to the Navy Department who then responded to Mr. and Mrs. Hayes. The response informed then that there was unfortunately no new information regarding their son.
In April of 1942 W.J. Wheelan would receive a package from the Chief of Bureau containing all the mail that had been addressed to Hayes since he had been declared missing.
In July of 1945 a letter was sent from Hayes’ parents to the Navy Department inquiring for an update on their son’s status as well as information regarding his rank, and Navy life insurance. H.B. Atkinson, Commander, USNR Officer in Charge Casualty Section, responded in August saying that at the time there was no reason to change their son’s status and that there was no reason to believe his status had been upgraded. He also said that the inquiry on life insurance was being forwarded to the Veterans Association.
In July of 1945 a letter was sent by the US Navy to Hayes’ parents informing them that since Hayes had been declared missing for six months the Secretary of the Navy reviewed the facts available and determined that Hayes status should remain missing. In the proceeding months no news was found and his parents were informed that he would remain considered missing until it could be determined that he was deceased, or he was found.
On March 28, 1942 Mr. Hayes received a telegram informing him that his son, Charles Hayes, had been declared missing. In this telegram it was requested that his parents do not divulge the name of the ship he was serving on or his station.
In May of 1942 Mr. and Mrs. Hayes wrote a letter to Senator Theo G. Bilbo informing them that they had received a telegram on March 28th informing them that Charles had been declared missing but had heard nothing since and had not been able to obtain any new information. They requested that the senator attempt to gain information on their behalf. The Senator forwarded the letter to the Navy Department who then responded to Mr. and Mrs. Hayes. The response informed then that there was unfortunately no new information regarding their son.
In April of 1942 W.J. Wheelan would receive a package from the Chief of Bureau containing all the mail that had been addressed to Hayes since he had been declared missing.
In July of 1945 a letter was sent from Hayes’ parents to the Navy Department inquiring for an update on their son’s status as well as information regarding his rank, and Navy life insurance. H.B. Atkinson, Commander, USNR Officer in Charge Casualty Section, responded in August saying that at the time there was no reason to change their son’s status and that there was no reason to believe his status had been upgraded. He also said that the inquiry on life insurance was being forwarded to the Veterans Association.
In July of 1945 a letter was sent by the US Navy to Hayes’ parents informing them that since Hayes had been declared missing for six months the Secretary of the Navy reviewed the facts available and determined that Hayes status should remain missing. In the proceeding months no news was found and his parents were informed that he would remain considered missing until it could be determined that he was deceased, or he was found.