Jesse B. Hayes, Jr. enlistment photograph

"As many in his generation," Patrick revealed, "[my father] spoke infrequently about his battle rigors. From what I know, There were three of them in a foxhole. They were hit by mortar fire. The other two Marines died. He suffered two broken legs, a broken arm, and was shredded with shrapnel which regularly came to the surface of his skin for years until he passed away. He always said 'I was a grunt doing my job, serving my country, I have always been a Marine and will die a Marine.' No fanfare just a simple proud Marine who raised three boys to be very successful men." --Patrick Hayes
Read the article as it appears in the Marianas Variety (Jan 15, 2018)

Read the article as it appears in the Saipan Tribune (Jan 16, 2018)

Placing a wreath at American Memorial Park

Lead Ranger Brooke Nevitt, Patrick Hayes, and author/tour guide Walt Goodridge lay a wreath for Jesse B. Hayes, Jr. at American Memorial Park's Court of Honor; Saipan, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Jan 12, 2018

Touring the island, seeing relics from the Battle of Saipan

Fabian Indalecio shows Patrick Hayes a Japanese mortar barrel up close during a visit to a unique private collection; Jan 12, 2018 (The Type 89 Grenade Discharger inaccurately and colloquially known as a knee mortar by Allied forces, is a Japanese grenade launcher or light mortar that was widely used in the Pacific Ocean theatre of World War II, and may have been the weapon responsible for Jesse B. Hayes, Jr's war injuries.)

Post-tour debriefing with Patrick Hayes, son of WWII Veteran, Jesse B. Hayes, Jr.

"Hi Walt,
thank you for the impressive effort you put forth on my behalf yesterday on the tour. You certainly planned the tour around my obvious desires and fulfilled all of the curiosity and then some that I had when I arrived on the island of Saipan as a son of a critically wounded Marine from the 2nd Marine Division. I leave the island enriched with historical data that can live on for generations in my family. Thanks Again!"-- Patrick Hayes"
Read the article that appears in the Marianas Variety

Read the article as it appears in the Saipan Tribune (Jan 16, 2018)

Other clients who've taken my tours in search of answers

The Old Japanese Jail where Amelia was held prisoner

Viewing the cell where Amelia was held

I arrange a sit-down meeting with a recent tour client to ask their own questions of Dave Sablan, long-time Saipan resident and businessman, who has been interviewed by numerous researchers and most recently for the History Channel documentary for his knowledge of the island and insights into the Amelia mystery.

Read what USA Today said about my tours!

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Jesse B. Hayes, Jr 1926 - 1995 Marine, 2nd Division, Battle of Saipan