Posted by Terry Powers on January 17, 2023:

J. H. METZGER 1949 Cullum No. 17262-1949 | April 8, 2014 | Died in Concord, NH Cremated. Interred in Sugar Grove, Wilmington, OH J. Hayes Metzger was born in Wilmington, OH, the son of Hazel and Harry Metzger. Hayes loved growing up in small town Ohio with his sister, Lou, and several lifelong friends. He loved the outdoors, playing sports and music. Hayes graduated from Wilmington High School in 1942. He was co-captain of the football team and lettered in baseball and basketball. He was also active in band and chorus and was elected Secretary of State of American Legion- sponsored Ohio Buckeye Boys State in 1941. In addition, he attained the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America and continued to be active in the organization as the waterfront director of Tecumseh Council Scout Camp in 1942, and played flute in the Region 4 Boy Scout Band. The band played at the 1939 World's Fair in New York, giving concerts daily for two weeks. He attended Ohio Wesleyan in 1942 for one year and then went to Ohio State for six months, where he lettered in baseball. He enlisted in the Army in December of 1942 and subsequently received an appointment to West Point, graduating in 1949. He lettered in baseball and again in football as part of the National Champion Football teams of 1946 and 1947. The Howitzer recorded this impression of Hayes: "Hayes' easy going nature and his affable disposition have fostered friendship in all who know him. He is one of those rare fellows who always has a song on his lips and whose presence is a welcomed influence in any group. On the athletic fields, he was consistently outstanding." Soon after graduation Hayes married Katie Hunnicutt, also from Wilmington, and began their 64 years together. Hayes and Katie were blessed with five children and had many happy memories of different postings along the way. In each place they and the children enjoyed picking up or developing further any sporting and outdoor talents appropriate to the region: skiing in Alaska, tennis and swimming in Alabama and Virginia, horsemanship at Fort Leavenworth, KS and, of course, fishing in any pond, river, stream or mud puddle Hayes could find. Hayes and Katie formed deep and abiding friendships with other '49-ers and their wives, which was a source of wonderful mutual support and great happiness over many years. Hayes' career started with the 503rd and 511th Airborne Regiments at Fort Campbell, KY from 1950 to 1951. In 1952 he went to Korea, where he served as a company commander for the 23rd Infantry Regiment. Hayes was involved in an important night assault on Old Baldy during which he was wounded. Subsequently he received a Bronze Star, a Silver Star and the Purple Heart. From Korea he went back to Fort Campbell as a company commander in the 503rd Airborne Regiment from 1953 to 1954, and then went on to Infantry Officers Advanced Course in 1955. From 1955 to 1959, Hayes found himself back at West Point as a TAC. From 1959 to 1962, he was back as a company commander with the 23rd Infantry at Fort Richardson, AK. Hayes loved being with the troops on maneuver. One humorous story he loved to tell from this period was when they had the Princess Pat's Canadian Light Infantry surrounded in field exercises, and the referee told them to surrender, but the commander of the Princess Pat's replied: "The Princess Pat's never surrender. Send ammunition and medals!" From 1962 to 1963, Hayes was at the Command and General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth, KS. From there he went to Alabama, where he completed an MBA at the University of Alabama from 1964 to 1965. In 1965 he was with the Vietnamese Airborne Division as task force advisor, experiencing multiple jumps and deployments with that Division. From 1966 to 1969, he was at the Pentagon in the Comptroller's office. From 1970 to 1971, Hayes was back in Korea as a battalion commander of the 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. From 1971 to 1974, Hayes was a Professor of Military Science and was in charge of a ROTC unit at Saint Bonaventure University in Western New York, where he also completed a master's in education. Hayes' last posting was as the Chief of the Readiness Group and Training Center at Fort Dix, NJ from 1974 to 1976. During his career he was awarded the Air Medal, the Legion of Merit (2), the Meritorious Service Medal (2), the Combat Infantry Badge (2), the Master Parachutist Badge, the Croix de Guerre (France), the Gallantry Cross (Vietnam), the Honor Medal (Vietnam) and six other campaign and service medals. Hayes retired as a colonel. Hayes and Katie retired to Fitzwilliam, NH, where they could enjoy the four seasons they so loved. The five children, though scattered, returned home regularly to a wonderfully restored 18th century house. It was also a great Nana and Pop-Pop house for the grandkids and regularly accommodated around 20 or more for Christmas! A few years ago, with the family gathered around the dining room table, Hayes expressed his deep love for his family and told them they were a source of inspiration to him, especially while away on combat tours. While in his 80s, due to failing eyesight, he had to give up singing in church and local choirs-something he had done for more than 60 years. With the help of friends, he was still able to go fly fishing. He developed a nice feel for a strike on the line. His finest fishing accomplishment was well known to family and friends who visited and saw the plaque on the porch, "Here lives a fisherman with the best catch of his life."

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