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By Paul Garber
CLEMMONS JOURNAL REPORTER

Leonard Hayes of Clemmons got his first medals right after completing his tour of duty in Vietnam. He knew that he had earned some others, but was told that the Marines had run out of them and would get those medals later.

"Later never did get there," Hayes said.

The wait ended Monday, more than 30 years later, when U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx presented Hayes with four medals: The Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with One Bronze Star, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Hayes, 61, said that as the years passed, he had almost forgotten about the medals he had not received. Foxx brought up the issue of his service while they were discussing another matter.

"I got a letter last week saying she had got them for me," he said.

Foxx also presented two other veterans with medals.

Russell Troutman, 80, of Winston-Salem, a veteran of World War II and the Korean War, received the Good Conduct Medal, the Presidential Unit Citation and the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with One Silver Star. He also received the National Defense Service Medal, Honorable Service Lapel Button, Expert Badge with Submachine Gun Bar, Sharpshooter Badge with Rifle Bar, and the Marksman Badge and Carbine Bar.

Ray Sipe, 84, of Alexander County was presented with the Bronze Star Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with One Bronze Star, Combat Infantryman Badge First Award, and Honorable Service Lapel Button.

Hayes' parents, Jesse and Elizabeth Hayes of Clemmons, accompanied him to the presentation.
Hayes said he enlisted in 1965, just after graduating from Wingate College. In 1969 and 1970, he served as a sergeant in the First Marine Division in the Vietnamese city of Da Nang.

He served as an electronics technician and went out on patrols in the area.

He recalled he was out on patrol with a group of about eight Marines when they came across about 200 enemy soldiers.

They immediately called for fire support. A quick response included two helicopter gunships.
"When they saw that they left us alone, and we got out of there as quickly as we could," Hayes said.

Hayes is retired from working at R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. but stays active by doing seasonal work for Tanglewood Park.

He said he would probably give his medals to his son, Christopher, 26.

Foxx said that the country could not survive without the people who have sacrificed to serve in the military.

"We are at war right now, the most unusual war we've ever had," she said. "I'm sorry we're at war, but I'm glad it has people thinking about our military people."