Thomas Hayes (Medal of Honor)

Thomas Hayes (1840 – May 24, 1914) was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of America's highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions during the Battle of Mobile Bay in the American Civil War.

Medal of Honor citation
Rank and Organization: Coxswain, U.S. Navy. Born: 1840, Rhode Island. Accredited To: Rhode Island. G.O. No.: 45, 31 December 1864.

Citation:

As Captain of No. 1 gun on board the USS Richmond (1860) during action against rebel forts and gunboats and with the CSS Tennessee in Mobile Bay, 5 August 1864. Cool and courageous at his station throughout the prolonged action, Hayes maintained fire from his gun on Fort Morgan and on ships of the Confederacy despite extremely heavy return fire.