IL HR1473

Congratulates Mary Katey Hays on her selection as Captain (Commanding Officer) of the USS Decatur, to be installed in that position on November 18, 2016.

Hays is a 1999 graduate of the United States Naval Academy who grew up in Tampa, Florida and is a descendant of the Powlochwehill family.

Hays has served aboard multiple naval vessels including USS Carney (DDG 64), USS Antietam (CG 54), USS Milius (DDG 69), and USS Decatur (DDG 73), and completed assignments as Third Fleet Scheduler, Congressional Liaison, and Civil Affairs Team Officer in Iraq with SEAL Team One.

Hays holds a Masters of Arts Degree in National Security Affairs with Middle East subspecialty from the Naval Postgraduate School and is certified in Modern Standard Arabic from the Defense Language Institute.

Hays has been awarded the Bronze Star, two Meritorious Service Awards, three Navy Commendation Medals, and two Navy Achievement Medals.