Remembering Private Delbert "Bob" Hayes

Down From Heaven - The 11th Airborne Division in World War II & Beyond

In this episode, show host and 11th Airborne historian Jeremy C. Holm honors PVT Delbert "Bob" Hayes of Valparaiso, Indiana. Private Hayes served in the 11th Airborne Division in Company D of the 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment before he was killed on August 12, 1945 at Lipa, Luzon during World War II.
Valparaiso's VFW Post 988 is named after this young American who gave his life in the service of his country and Jeremy recorded this episode for VFW Post 988's members and Bob's family.
Bob was a Paratrooper fought with The Angels on Luzon from February to August of 1945, participating in the liberation of Manila as well as southern Luzon.
Bob's awards and decorations include:
The Presidential Unit Citation
Two Purple Hearts with oak leaf cluster
The Parachutists badge
Expert badges with rifle, Carbine and 57 MM bar
Asiatic-Pacific theater ribbon with devices: New Guinea, Leyte, and Luzon campaign stars
The World War II Victory ribbon
Philippine Liberation ribbon with bronze star
Good Conduct medal
American theater ribbon
Bob was killed in a plane crash at the Lipa Airstrip West on August 12, 1945. He was just 21. As his obituary states, "Private Hayes was not only a son and a soldier but was loved and held in high esteem by everyone who knew him.”

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Down From Heaven Comes Eleven! Airborne All the Way!