MEDIA

In Memoriam

Distinguished Graduate ADM Thomas Hayward '48, USN (Ret.)

Admiral Thomas Hayward ’48, USN, transferred to the Naval Academy in 1943 after enlisting in the V-5 Naval Aviation Cadet Program during World War II. Following his commissioning, Hayward served as an aviator on board aircraft carriers at sea and in training and test pilot commands ashore. By the end of his aviation career, Hayward had amassed 4,600 total flight hours and approximately 450 carrier recoveries. He received/was awarded the Society of Experimental Test Pilots James H. Doolittle Award for his service in 1981.

Hayward was selected to rear admiral in 1971 and then vice admiral just two years later when he assumed command of the US Seventh Fleet. In 1975, Hayward made full admiral and assumed command of the US Pacific Fleet from 1975-1978, during which he demonstrated superlative leadership skills and called for the development of a global naval strategy to face the threat of growing Soviet military that would drive the Navy’s mission in the mid-1980s. To counter the Soviet presence, Hayward increasingly deployed troops into the Indian Ocean and fostered the design and production of advanced warships, aircraft and missile systems. In 1978, Hayward was selected as Chief of Naval Operations and a member of the Joint Chiefs. His four-year tenure was marked by a surge in pride and professionalism within the ranks, an increase in fleet readiness and a bold zero tolerance drug policy.

Hayward retired from active duty on 1 July 1982 and dedicated himself to assisting at-risk students as chairman of the Ethics Resource Center of America. In 1994, Hayward co-founded the Voyager Expanded Learning Company, which served well over one million disadvantaged public school children, as well as several other companies that focus on reading and math solutions for K-12, masters and doctorates in education, and both domestic and international distance learning for college and higher education.

Renowned for his leadership in times of war and peace and respected as an exceptional individual in the service of his country, Hayward was honored in 2007 with the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association Distinguished Graduate Award in recognition of his contributions to the nation, Navy and Naval Academy.