Robert W. Hayler

The light cruiser Honolulu, which Hayler commanded between July 1942 and March 1944.

Collapsed bow of the light cruiser Honolulu, after she was torpedoed in the Battle of Kolombangara on July 13, 1943. Hayler was able to return with his ship to the U.S. for repairs.

Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and United States entry into World War II, Hayler still served at Newport, but requested sea duty and was appointed Commanding officer of light cruiser USS Honolulu in July 1942. He immediately led his ship to the Aleutian Islands in North Pacific ocean in August that year and took part in the bombardment of Kiska. Hayler then returned with Honolulu to Mare Island Navy Yard for some upgrades and repairs and embarked for South Pacific, escorting a convoy to Nouméa, New Caledonia in early November 1942.[1][2][10][5]

Later that month, Honolulu sailed from Espiritu Santo in the New Hebrides Islands to intercept a Japanese Navy convoy attempting to reinforce their positions on Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands. During the Battle of Tassafaronga on the night of November 30, 1942, Hayler and his Honolulu were part of the task force of five cruisers and six destroyers which attacked Japanese convoy and sunk one enemy destroyer. But Japanese returned fire and damaged four cruiser, ultimately sinking Northampton. Hayler maintained his station in the formation, firing effectively with every weapons at his command. His seamanship in bringing the Honolulu through without damage under extremely adverse conditions and his leadership under fire were direct factors in the destruction of several Japanese ships and contributed to the turning back of the enemy forces. For his service at Tassafaronga, Hayler was decorated with his first Navy Cross, the Navy's second highest military decoration for valor.[11][1][2][5]

Honolulu operated out of Espiritu Santo in early 1943 in an attempt to engage the "Tokyo Express" and received Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V" for his service. During May, she engaged in bombardments of New Georgia in the Solomons supporting the landings on Rendova Island on July 4, 1943. Two days later, Hayler led Honolulu during the Battle of Kula Gulf, knocking out one enemy destroyer and assisting in the destruction of others. For his service on Rendova and Kula Gulf, Hayler received his second Navy Cross.[11][1][2][12]

Hayler then led Honolulu during the Battle of Kolombangara on July 12, 1943, when he participated in the intercepting of Japanese troop convoy. In the ensuing action, the Japanese sunk one Allied destroyer and damaged three cruisers. They were also able to successfully land 1,200 ground troops on the western coast of Kolombangara but lost one light cruiser sunk with all hands in the process. Hayler handled his ship with superb tactical skill, evading three of the hostile torpedoes and eventually, when his vessel was hit, he directed the control of damage with cool courage and outstanding ability and finally brought his ship safely into port. For his service at Kolombangara, he was decorated with Silver Star.[11][1][2][13][5]

However the torpedo, which hit the Honolulu, blew off her bow as far back as the forward turret, and the ship received a torpedo hit in the stern and Hayler was forced to retire to Tulagi for temporary repairs, and then departed for the large naval base at Pearl Harbor, arriving in mid-August 1943. The damage was so serious, that Honolulu was ordered to Mare Island Navy Yard, near San Francisco for more work. The repairs were completed in mid-November and Hayler led Honolulu back to the combat area in South Pacific.[1][2][5]

After return to Pacific in December 1943, Hayler led Honolulu during the bombardment of Bougainville, where destroyed concentration of troops, supply and barges. He then took part in the screen operations during the landings at Green Island and then withdrawn from the area in order to prepare for Mariana Islands Operation. For his service with Honolulu, Hayler and his crew were entitled to wear Navy Unit Commendation.[1][2][5]

Hayler (right with glasses) relieves “Tip” Merrill (left) as Commander, Cruiser Division 12 on March 26, 1944.

Hayler (right) and Captain Robert B. Simons, USN, Commander of the Naval Torpedo Station Alexandria examines paperwork at circa 1945. Hayler commanded the station in 1939-1942.

Hayler was promoted to Rear admiral in March 1944 and succeeded Aaron S. Merrill as Commander, Cruiser Division 12, which consisted of the Clevland-class light cruisers Cleveland, Columbia, Montpelier, his flagship Denver and several destroyers. He then participated in the assaults in the Marianas, capturing Saipan, Tinian and Palau and received Legion of Merit with Combat "V" and second Bronze Star Medal for his services.[11][1][2][12][5]

By the end of October 1944, Hayler's Division participated in the Battle of Surigao Strait, (last battleship-to-battleship action in history) during the recapture of Philippines. With United States cruiser units executing a strategic maneuver as the tactically disposed destroyer units initiated a series of deadly torpedo attacks against a formidable column of Japanese battleships, cruisers and destroyers advancing under cover of darkness toward our waiting forces, Hayler directed his division into advantageous striking position on the left flank despite extremely hazardous conditions and, ordering the fire of his gun batteries with precise timing in a sudden coordinated onset, delivered a Naval bombardment from his man-of-war, surprising the enemy and aiding materially in putting him to rout in Japanese-controlled waters.[11][1][2][5]

Detached from his Task Force to pursue the fleeing warships, he resolutely held to an undeviating course, moving in for the kill with swift, inexorable fury and overtaking the remnants of the battered enemy Task Force to join other friendly units in dealing the death blows which brought the decisive action to a close and completed the annihilation of a large and vital portion of the Japanese Fleet. For his part in the battle, Hayler was decorated with his third Navy Cross.[11][1][2][5]

In late 1944, Hayler and his ships then supported amphibious invasion on Leyte, the largest amphibious operation in the Southeast Pacific Area and received his second Legion of Merit for the leadership of his ships. He was detached in March 1945 and ordered back to the United States, where he served as a member of the General Board of the Navy until the end of War.[11][1][2][14]