Thomas Bibb Hayward

Admiral, U.S. Navy

Thomas Bibb Hayward was born on 3 May 1924, in Glendale, CA.

After serving as an enlisted Sailor during World War II, he attended the U.S. Naval Academy and graduated in 1947, at which time he was commissioned as an Ensign. Hayward's career began on the USS Antietam (CV-36); he attended flight training at Naval Air Station Pensacola, FL, and was designated a Naval Aviator in July 1950.

From the decks of the USS Essex (CV-9) and USS Valley Forge (CV-45), he flew 146 combat sorties with Fighter Squadron 51 in the Korean War. During the Vietnam War, Hayward commanded Carrier Air Wing Ten and the aircraft carrier USS America (CV-66); he also flew 36 combat missions.

As an aviator, he repeatedly served on aircraft carriers at sea, and in training and test pilot commands ashore. In between his tours of duty, Hayward enhanced his education with attendance at the National War College and George Washington University.

Hayward demonstrated superlative leadership skills from 1976-77 as Commander, U.S. Seventh Fleet.

On 12 August 1976 he was promoted to the four-star rank of Admiral and assigned as Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet (12 August 1976 to 9 May 1978). In the latter command, Hayward called for the development of a global naval strategy to face the threat of growing Soviet military power that would drive the Navy's mission in the mid-1980s. To counter the Soviet presence, Hayward increasingly deployed fleet units into the Indian Ocean. He also fostered the design and production of advanced warships, aircraft, and missile systems, and promote a global, offensive-minded maritime strategy.

On 1 July 1978, Hayward was appointed Chief of Naval Operations, where he built on the work of his predecessor to prepare the Navy for the challenges of the late Cold War.

Admiral Hayward retired from the Navy on 1 July 1982.

Medals and Awards

Legion of Merit
Distinguished Flying Cross
Air Medal (10 Awards)
Navy Commendation Medal with Combat "Valor" Device (3 Awards)

Honors

• In 1981, he was awarded the Society of Experimental Test Pilots James H. Doolittle Award.

• In January 2007, the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association announced Admiral Thomas B. Hayward as one of four recipients of its 2007 Distinguished Graduate Award.

In Retirement

Admiral Hayward is one of the senior signatories of the 31 March 2009 letter urging the president to maintain the controversial "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy.