[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 9 (Tuesday, January 16, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E47-E48]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING THE LIFE OF BRIGADIER GENERAL ANNA HAYS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. CHARLES W. DENT

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 16, 2018

  Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life and 
achievements of Allentown native Anna Mae Hays, the first woman in the 
history of the U.S. Armed Forces to be awarded the rank of a general. 
After a life spent serving in the army and contributing to the 
Allentown community, Anna passed away in Washington on January 6 at the 
age of 97.
  Born in Buffalo, N.Y. in 1920, Brigadier General (BG) Hays moved to 
what is now

[[Page E48]]

Pennsylvania's 15th Congressional District in 1932. Ten years later, 
inspired by the tragic Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, she traveled 
some 60 miles by trolley car from Allentown to Philadelphia to join an 
Army reserve unit affiliated with the Hospital at the University of 
Pennsylvania. In 1943, she shipped out to Asia, where she served at the 
20th Field Hospital, tending to wounded soldiers in India.
  As an Army nurse, BG Hays' compassion for others was unparalleled 
Furthermore, she was resolute in her mission to provide the highest 
level of care to our nation's troops, even battling severe illnesses 
and hardships of her own to do so. Following WWII, she again served 
hundreds of wounded soldiers at the 4th Field Hospital in Inchon and 
the Tokyo Army Hospital during the Korean War.
  After the wars, her compassion did not waver as she continued to 
serve in military hospitals. This included a stint at Walter Reed Army 
Medical Center, where two of her patients included General George C. 
Marshall and President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
  When war broke out in Vietnam, BG Hays again answered the call of 
duty. She worked in the Army Nurse Corps and rose to the rank of chief, 
visiting Vietnam on many occasions to inspect medical installations.
  On June 11, 1970, BG Hays was promoted to the rank of Brigadier 
General after being nominated by President Nixon, becoming the first 
woman to ever receive this distinction. Additionally, she was also 
awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, the highest noncombat award 
issued by the Pentagon.
  Brigadier General Anna Mae Hays will always be remembered for her 
kindness and service towards others and her love of her childhood home 
in the Lehigh Valley. Even at 90 years old, Anna consistently drove 
back to Allentown to visit loved ones and donate historical items to 
local museums.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask the House to please join me in recognizing the 
life of this remarkable woman and her monumental accomplishments. Her 
commitment to our armed service members and to our country will never 
be forgotten.

                          ____________________