Medal of Honor Recipient John C. Hayes
Coxswain Hayes (1832-1911) served on the USS Kearsarge. It sunk the notorious Confederate raider Alabama on June 19, 1864 off Cherbourg, France. The Alabama had sunk, burned or captured 69 ships during the war. Hayes was a gunner and was instrumental in firing the cannon that sunk the Alabama. He served at sea both before and after the war. Later he farmed in Wisconsin and moved to Blairstown later in life to be near his daughter. Follow Locust Street south to Pleasant Hill Cemetery - then circle around the cemetery road - it is next to the road at the top of the hill between the older and newer sections of the cemetery.

SUVCW members Danny Krock and David Thompson participated in a ceremony to honor Coxswain Hayes on Memorial Day, 2014. This was near the 150th Anniversary of the sinking of the Alabama. Thank you to Danny for providing the photos of John Hayes and a proclamation from the Secretary of the Navy. Thank you to Linda Hepworth for the photo of David Thompson speaking. The first photo shown was taken 2/25/09.