Hays graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1950 and served on a destroyer for one year prior to commencing flight training. After a series of operational aviation assignments, including a tour as an experimental test pilot and two combat tours in Vietnam flying the all-weather attack A-6A Intruder, he was ordered in 1969 to the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., for duty on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations.

Between 1969 and 1988 Hays’ career path was divided between fleet aviation assignments and resource management positions in the Pentagon. During this period significant assignments included:

As Commander in Chief Pacific Forces, Hays commanded all United States military forces in the Pacific theater. He retired from military service in October 1988 and entered the commercial world as a director on several boards, including civic and non-profit organizations. He also served as a consultant for the Parsons Corporation, a global engineering firm.

Hays was awarded a Doctorate of Humanities by Northwestern State University, Natchitoches, Louisiana. In 2005, he was honored as a Distinguished Graduate of the United States Naval Academy. He was recognized as a Distinguished Eagle Scout.