WHITE HOUSE HEROES, PART II

in the army. His early days living in the army camps during the Civil War and hearing of his father’s accomplishments during that war might have had something to do with his decision. He served during the short conflict with distinction, and stayed in the army after the war was won. He served in Cuba, Puerto Rico and the Philippines. It was in the Philippines that Webb Hayes took part in the action for which he received the Medal of Honor for “distinguished gallantry.”

Webb Hayes had been promoted to lieutenant colonel, and was assigned to a staff position with the 31st Infantry. He risked his life to make contact with a unit that was cut off and organize relief for them. His Medal of Honor citation for the action on December 4, 1899 read:

“Pushed through the enemy’s lines alone, during the night, from the beach to the beleaguered force at Vigan, and returned the following morning to report the condition of affairs to the Navy and secure assistance.”

Lest anyone think that political influence was involved, one should remember that his father had not been President for almost twenty years, and had died almost seven years earlier.

Webb continued in the army, later serving in China during the Boxer Rebellion. He was part of the force that relieved the besieged westerners in Peking, including future President and First Lady Herbert and Lou Hoover. Webb retired with the rank of colonel, and served in the Ohio House of Representatives. He later volunteered for duty with the British and French forces in Italy during World War I before the United States entered the war. Webb Hayes died on July 26, 1934 in Fremont, Ohio. He is buried on the grounds of the Hayes family estate, Spiegel Grove, which is now part of the Spiegel Grove State Park, in Fremont, Ohio.

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