michael hay, secretary

Michael Hays enlisted in the Marine Corps and went to recruit training in November, 1965, and then became an Air Traffic Controller. In February, 1967 he went to Marine Officer Candidate School, followed by Naval Flight School at Pensacola. He was designated a Naval Aviator in March, 1969.

He flew a combat tour in Vietnam from September 1969 - September 1970 as a Squadron Pilot flying the CH-53 Sea Stallion helicopter in Marine squadron HMH 463, callsign “Dimmer 14”. He Flew approximately 900+ missions, and was awarded the DFC and 35 Air Medals.

He left the active Marines in August 1971, joining the USMC-Reserve at NAS New Orleans, LA, flying UH1N’s. He remained in the USMC Reserve until his retirement in 1980.

In his civilian career, he was employed by Bell Helicopter International as Primary and Advanced Instructor Pilot in Esfahan, Iran and by Doss Aviation as an Instrument Instructor Pilot at Ft. Rucker, AL. He also worked as a Research Statistician and Program Analyst at Tallahassee/Leon County Human Services Center, Tallahassee, FL, and he has been the owner of various small fiduciary businesses. He has been fully retired since January 2015.