Sacaton, Arizona Ira H. Hayes An American Hero

Ira H. Hayes Born: January 12 th, 1923 in Sacaton Arizona Died: January 24 th, 1955 (32 Years Old

Ira H. Hayes Ira Hamilton Hayes was a Pima Native American and an American Marine who was one of the six men immortalized in the iconic photograph of the flag raising on Iwo Jima during World War II.

WWII (World War II) World War two began in September 1, 1939 Germany Invaded Poland without warning. Ira Hayes was only 16 years old when the war began. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corp on August 24 th, He was 19 years old. On February 19 th, 1945 he participated in the invasion of Iwo Jima.

Ira Hamilton Hayes – The Early Years Childhood Ira loved to read, he learned how to read and write by the age of 4 years old. He was fluent in English which at that time many Pima’s did not speak. In 1932 his family settled in Bapchule, Arizona He went to elementary school in Sacaton and high school at Phoenix Indian School in Phoenix, AZ He was very shy and quiet, which is unusual for Pima Boys.

Early Years continued After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on December 7, 1941 he confided in a classmate that he was determined to serve in the United States Marine Corp (this is the branch of service that Mr. Lopez served in) Every morning in school they would receive a report on what was happening on the war. In the Phoenix Indian School they would sing the anthems of the Army, Marines and the Navy. He graduated high school in 1942 and returned to the reservation.

He enlisted on August 24 th, 1942 He attended basic training in San Diego, California and went on to become a paratrooper (They were dropped by parachute into hostile areas) In 1944 they disbanded the Marine Corps parachute unit (which now part of the Army) and he transferred to another unit in Camp Pendleton, California. He agree to serve a 2 nd tour of duty and sailed to Hawaii in September of Military Career

Invasion of Iwo Jima February 19 th, 1945 his division landed in Iwo Jima, he battled the Japanese for the Island and was one of the Marines that took Mount Suribachi five days later on February 23 rd, 1945 This is where Ira H. Hayes and 4 other Marines, Rene Gagnon, Harlon Block, Franklin Sousley and Mike Strank and John Bradley raised the 2 nd American Flag on the island. A photographer named Joe Rosenthal took a picture that changed Ira Hayes life forever.

Map of Iwo Jima off the coast of Japan

Photographs

Raising of the Flag

Raising of the flag

Military Medals/Ribbons Corporal Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat "V“ (for valor (bravery) in combat) Combat Action Ribbon [13] Presidential Unit Citation with 5/16" Silver Star American Campaign Medal Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with four 3/16" Bronze Stars World War II Victory Medal Navy Occupation Service Medal Parachutist Badge Rifle Sharpshooter Badge

Ira Hayes – After the War After the war, Hayes attempted to lead a normal civilian life. "I kept getting hundreds of letters. And people would drive through the reservation, walk up to me and ask, 'Are you the Indian who raised the flag on Iwo Jima?'"Although he rarely spoke about the flag raising, he spoke about his service in the Marine Corps with great pride. He also appeared in a John Wayne movie, Sands of Iwo Jima along with fellow flag raisers. They used the actual flag that was raised on Mount Suribachi in the film.

Ira Hamilton Hayes Death: Ira Hamilton Hayes died of exposure in the cotton fields on January 24 th, 1955 he was only 32 years, he never married or had any children. He was buried in Arlington National Cemetery in section 34 grave 479A.

Gila River Indian Community The community has honored him in many ways: −Ira H. Hayes High School −Ira H. Hayes Memorial Library −American Legion Ira H. Hayes Post 84 −He was also honored in February 2012 with the Ira H. Hayes Veteran’s Pow-Wow at Sacaton Ball Field Park, through the First Nations Warrior Society