SGT. DONALD EDGAR BAYS

One of the first of Lee County's sons to make the supreme sacrifice for his country, in the present war, was Donald Edgar Bays, son of Mr. and Mrs. V. E. Bays, of Hubbard Springs, Va. Donald was killed in action on the first day of the war, December 7, 1941, while serving with the U.S. Air Corps at Hickam Field, Hawaii. He enlisted in the U. S. Air Corps on July 18, 1939, requesting foreign service. He sailed soon after enlistment for Hawaii, and was stationed at Hickam Field from the time of his arrival there. Donald signed for and completed a course as airplane mechanic. He qualified as a machine gunner, and served for some time in that capacity, as a regular member of the crew of a Flying Fortress. A short time before the war started, he transferred back to his old position as mechanic at the airfield, and was working there when the attack was made December 7, 1941 when the Japanese made their appearance at Hickam Field on that Sunday morning, Donald, with a group of other boys, went out to the field and were firing at the planes with 45 caliber pistols and .30 caliber guns, their only available weapons, when a Jap plane, flying low, strafed and bombed them. Many of these boys were mangled beyond identification, Don being one of them. He was awarded the Purple Heart, posthumously, by the President of the United States, and was awarded a Citation of Honor by H.H. Arnold, Chief of the U.S. Air Forces.

SGT. Donald Edgar Bays, 21, of Hubbard Springs, Virginia tragically was killed in action on December 7, 1941 at the attack of Pearl Harbor. Don was born on February 24, 1920 in Hubbard Springs, Virginia to the late Vernon Edgar Bays and Ella Bailey Bays. He attended Flatwoods High School before leaving to join the military.

Along with his parents he is preceded in death by sisters, Drucilla Bays Carroll Denson and Geraldine Bays King; and nephews, Don Carroll and Don King.

Donald is survived by nephews, Steve Carroll and Phillip King ; nieces, Patsy Carroll, Diane Smith, Pam Lowe, Debbie King and Peggy Carroll; along with several great nieces, nephews and cousins.

The family will receive friends from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM on Sunday, May 18, 2025 at Hubbard Springs Christian Church. A funeral service will follow with Pastor Jim Belcher officiating.

A military committal service will follow in the Hubbard Springs Christian Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Hubbard Springs Christian Church Cemetery Fund in C/O Diane Smith 6703 Sugar Run Rd, Jonesville, VA 24263

SGT. Donald Edgar Bays and his family are in the care of Powell Valley Funeral Home.