Major General John J. Hayes, as commander of the Second Logistics Command, planned and executed Operation Red Hat, the flawless movement of more than 10,000 tons of toxic chemical munitions from Okinawa to Johnston Island in 1970 and 1971.

He was personally responsible for the extremely sensitive planning and coordination of the movement from Okinawa and for the identification and preparation of another storage site. The movement required construction of storage facilities on Johnston Island, identifying numerous routes for the movement, training personnel, and coordinating among the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, and civilian agencies.

His understanding of and concern for the political and public issues enabled him to solve countless problems arising from adverse public opinion and often heated national opposition.