Charles A. Hayden, 41, submaster of Norwood Senior High School since 1933 and veteran of World War II, was appointed Wednesday night by the School Committee as Principal of the High School, succeeding the late Licghton S. Thompson. Committee Chairman Harold T. Young announced this following a special meeting of the board held at the Junior High School.
Mr Hayden, who has been acting principal of the high, school since the death of Mr. Thompson on March 9th, was picked for the important position by the School Committee from a field of 35 candidates.
Boston-born but a resident of Wellesley most of his life. Norwood’s new high school principal was graduated from Boston Latin School in 1923, and from Boston College in 1927. He received his master’s degree from Boston College Graduate School in 1930.
A popular and able educator, Mr. Hayden received his apprentice training in Lynn Classical High School. He joined the Norwood public school system as teacher of Latin and debating at the high school at the beginning of the Fall term in 1930, and three years later was elevated to the position of submaster.
On January 21, 1943, he entered the Army Air Corps as a volunteer with a commission of first lieutenant. He served as head of the Department of Navigation and Assistant Director of the Ground School at Freeman Field, Ind., and later was administrative officer of the Post Engineers at Lockbourne Army Air Base at Columbus, Ohio. He also was stationed for a short time at Lincoln Army Air Base, Lincoln, Neb., and then went to the School of Military Government at Charlottesville, Va. While in the service he wrote a book which has been used as a standard classroom text in Army schools where navigators and pilots are trained.
His terminal leave from the military service began on November 21, 1945, and upon his discharge as a captain, he was awarded the following citations: American Theatre Ribbon, World War II Victory Ribbon, and the Honorable Discharge Emblem. Following his release from active duty, he returned to the high school on December 3 and shortly afterward was appointed by the School Committee as provisional director of the newly-created Department of Placement.
He is married and owns his own home at 111 Berwick Place, Norwood. At present he is residing temporarily in Wellesley.