Ben F. Hayes was born on January 29, 1919. He was the son of William Meredith Hayes and Minerva Harper Hayes. He served in the 31st Infantry Regiment as a Private during World War II.

After the fall of Bataan in the hands of the Japanese Army on April 9, 1942, Pvt Hayes was one of the 10,000 to 12,000 Americans who were forced to march over 60 miles under brutal conditions, resulting in 1,000 to 5,000 deaths due to starvation, dehydration, and abuse. Survivors were sent to Camp O'Donnell, where dire conditions, including overcrowding, malnutrition, and disease, caused an additional 1,500 to 2,300 American deaths within weeks. Those who survived faced ongoing hardships, including transfers to other camps and forced labor, where many continued to suffer or die.

Pvt Hayes was among the American soldiers who lost their lives in captivity on July 12, 1942. He is now buried in the Centenary Cemetery, Greasy Ridge, Lawrence County, Ohio, USA.

Source of information: www.livescience.com