Heru Ausar Hayes

Heru Hayes graduated Infantry Training Battalion at Camp Geiger at the top of his class on February 5th, 2020. He then reported to 3rd Battalion 1st Marines at Camp Pendleton as a Private First Class. There, Heru served as a Machine Gunner in 3rd Platoon, India Company and quickly earned the rank of Lance Corporal. Heru deployed with 3rd platoon to Djibouti, Africa with the Special Purpose MAGTF where he and his platoon served in a role specializing in rescuing downed pilots. Upon returning to Camp Pendleton, Heru was meritoriously promoted to Corporal, ahead of most of his peers. He then spent a short time as a Team Leader in Weapons Company.

Shortly after Heru’s stent as a Team Leader in Weapons Co, he received orders to 2nd Battalion 6th Marines in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. There, Heru served as the Platoon Sergeant of Headquarters Platoon, a billet typically reserved for someone 2-3 ranks above his own. Heru excelled at this role, showing a knack for organizational abilities. Heru was responsible for the accountability of the entire Company’s serialized equipment, as well as assisting with logistical and administrative efforts of the entire Company.

Heru was loved by everyone he served with. While the typical infantry units are riddled with drama, Heru was known to be the one that Marines could look over at during times of hardship and see a smile. During the long field ops, the heavy and strenuous hikes, cold nights digging fighting holes, the nights in bone-chilling rain, many Marines can recall hearing Hayes’ famous tag line: “It ain’t that bad.” His tag-line stuck, and many of his 3/1 3rd Platoon brothers often repeated his tag line during times of discomfort.

Heru was the epitome of physical and mental toughness. Where the best Marines struggled to make it up the hill, Heru would carry their burden and help his brothers to the top with a smile on his face and a pep in his step. He was determined to master whatever task he was assigned. As a Gunner in a Machine Gun team, if the expectation was to be able to disassemble and reassemble the gun in 2 minutes or less, Heru figured out a way to do it blindfolded. If the expectation was to carry 1 box of ammunition, Heru carried 3. If the pull up max was 20, Heru did 32.

As Heru grew in his career, he showed unprecedented leadership abilities for someone in his position in the Marine Corps. Heru was the NCO that the fresh new Marines felt most comfortable reaching out to with questions, whether it be work or life. Heru was an unconventional leader of Marines. Where most new Marine NCOs are traditionally expected to lead with an iron fist, Heru challenged the status quo by showing patience, empathy, and genuine care for the Marines around him. Heru expressed a real understanding of leadership and rather than forcing his Marines to efficiency, he coached and mentored them in a way that will stick with his Marines throughout their careers in the Marine Corps and in the civilian world.

Heru was not just a stellar Marine and leader, but a great friend. He will be missed by all those who served beside him.

“It ain’t that bad.”

A gathering of family and friends for Heru will be held Tuesday, February 13, 2024 from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM with refreshments provided at Mount Olivet Funeral Home, 1101 Lebanon Pike, Nashville, TN 37210. A gathering of family and friends will occur again on Wednesday, February 14, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Mount Olivet Funeral Home & Cemetery, 1101 Lebanon Pike, Nashville, Tennessee 37210.

A celebration of life service will occur Wednesday, February 14, 2024 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Mount Olivet Funeral Home & Cemetery, 1101 Lebanon Pike, Nashville, Tennessee 37210.