Private Willis D. Hays received Basic Training at Camp Robisnon, AR for 17 weeks and then he was stationed at Camp Shelby, MS. Following that, he spent 19 months in France and Germany with the 271st Infantry Regiment and the 3704th Quartermaster Company. During part of his stay in Germany, he served as 2nd Platoon Runner for the 69th Infantry Division, Rhineland, Central Europe. While with the 3704th QCO he served as a Tec 4 Cook and for a short period of time performed duties of Mess Sergeant, supervising and directing the personnel in the kitchen. March 4, 1945 he received his Combat Infantry Badge . He also received the EAMET Ribbon, Good conduct Medal and the Victory Ribbon. He has reported serving as a guard at the door for Colonel Henry B. Argeson, Commanding Officer at the Regimental HQ in Winchester, England. Prior to his acceptance into the US Army, Willis worked on various general farms near Gaylord, KS, driving tractors and horse teams pulling various farm equipment to plant, cultivate and harvest corn, small grain and hay crops. Additional service years were served with Battery A, 253rd AFA Bn, 6th Armored Division at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO. He entered October 11, 1950 as a Corporal and his term of service ended October 12, 1951, having obtained the rank of Sergeant. He returned to his prior employment with the Missouri Pacific Railroad, Gaylord, KS as a trackman.