Current data for Contributor

Smither, James (Interviewer)

Current data for Creator

Haywood, Breyound

Current data for Date

2019-04

Current data for Description

Breyound Haywood was born on February 28, 1973 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Haywood graduated high school in 1991 and enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1992. In January of 1993, he was flown to Marine Boot Camp for three months in San Diego, California. He then moved onto rifle training and field exercises at Camp Pendleton, California. After attending Marine Combat Training and then Infantry School back at Camp Pendleton, Haywood was assigned to a Zodiac Assault Company in the 1st Battalion, 4th Regiment, 1st Marine Division. On his first deployment, Haywood was redirected into a detached Special Operation Capable Platoon and was shipped around the Pacific and Middle East on the USS Tripoli and USS Tarawa for six months. His Company was also deployed to Somalia and stopped at various Middle Eastern ports as well as British Hong-Kong. He ended up staying in the Corps for longer than his tour, so he was assigned to the mail department in early 1995. On his second deployment, Haywood was sent to the Philippines as well as other stops in Africa, the Middle East, Persian Gulf, and Asia. After that, Haywood decided to leave the Corps, was discharged in March of 1997 in California, and joined the California Army National Guard. In 1998, he married and later enlisted in the Army Infantry out of Fort Irwin, California. On active duty, he was assigned to the 11th Armored Cavalry Unit, Supply and Transportation Platoon based out of Fort Irwin before being transferred to the Orderly Room, administrating the platoon. He was then deployed to Iraq and Kuwait, stationed at Camp Spiker with his Transportation Platoon and ran supply routes throughout Iraq. After five months on active duty, Haywood was allowed to return to the United States in 2004 and was discharged from the Army at Fort Irwin. He then returned to Michigan where he resumed his work for Johnson Controls and joined the Michigan Army National Guard. He later applied for a full-time position within the Active Guard Reserve, working out of Wyoming, Michigan, in the 126th Armored Battalion. With this Battalion, Haywood was again deployed to Iraq and Kuwait in a staff position. In 2008, he and his unit returned to the United States where he stayed with the Michigan National Guard until his retirement in December of 2016, totaling twenty-three years with the Guard.

Current data for Source

Veterans History Project collection, (RHC-27)