Ronald Jackson Hays (born August 19, 1928) is a retired United States Navy four star admiral who served as Vice Chief of Naval Operations (VCNO) from 1983 to 1985; and as Commander in Chief, United States Pacific Command (USCINCPAC) from 1985 to 1988. Admiral Hays grew up in Urania, Louisiana, a sawmill town which was owned "lock, stock, and barrel" by the Q.T. Hardtner family. In high school, "Happy" Hays worked as the butcher's assistant in the company store. There, Mr. Hardtner took notice and succeeded in gaining a U.S Naval Academy congressional appointment for "Happy."