John Henry Hays (4 August 1844 – 27 January 1904) was a veteran of the American Civil War and recipient of the Medal of Honor.

He was injured multiple times throughout the war, surviving a gunshot wound to his left thumb and being struck by debris from a falling bridge.

[1] On April 16, 1865, seven days following the surrender of Confederate General Robert E. Lee at Appomattox Court House, Hays marched on Columbus, Georgia to secure the city's naval yards, weapons factories and supply depots.

During the ensuing battle, Hays stormed a bridge over the Chattahoochee River and helped to capture a fort guarding it.

[1] On January 27, 1904, Hays attempted to arrest Paine Sly, an infamous locally known criminal, for domestic disturbance.