Ira Hayes, a 22-year-old Pima Indian from Arizona, became an enduring symbol of American heroism when he helped raise the flag during the Battle of Iwo Jima, though his post-war life ended tragically at age 32. The US Marines corporal’s story reveals the complex burden carried by those who survived WWII History’s most iconic moments while struggling with trauma, discrimination, and the weight of unwanted fame.

Key Takeaways

• Ira Hayes was one of six Marines who raised the second American flag on Mount Suribachi during the Battle of Iwo Jima on February 23, 1945
• As a member of the Pima tribe, Hayes faced discrimination despite his status as a war hero, highlighting the struggles of Native American veterans
• The famous photograph captured by Joe Rosenthal became America’s most iconic war image and won a Pulitzer Prize
• Hayes died at age 32 from alcohol poisoning and exposure after struggling with PTSD and alcoholism following the war
• His legacy lives on through films, songs, and annual celebrations by the Gila River Indian Community in Arizona

The Man in the Photograph: Hayes’ Role in History’s Most Famous War Image

On February 23, 1945, a moment frozen in time would define both American victory and personal tragedy. Ira Hayes, just 22 years old, joined five fellow Marines in raising the American flag atop Mount Suribachi during one of the Pacific Theater’s bloodiest battles. The image, captured by Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal, would win a Pulitzer Prize and become the most reproduced photograph in history.

What many don’t realize is that this famous Flag Raising was actually the second flag planted that day. The first flag was deemed too small to be seen from the beaches below, so a larger replacement was ordered. This second raising, which included Hayes, became the moment that defined American determination during World War II.

The Battle of Iwo Jima itself was a 36-day assault that cost more than 26,000 American casualties, including 6,800 dead. The strategic importance of the island couldn’t be overstated – it would serve as a crucial base for American bombers targeting the Japanese mainland.

From Arizona Reservation to Marine Corps Hero

Born January 12, 1923, in Sacaton, Arizona, on the Gila River Indian Reservation, Hayes grew up in a world far removed from the Pacific islands where he’d make history. His parents, Joseph Hayes (a WWI veteran and farmer) and Nancy Hamilton Hayes, raised him within the traditions of the Pima (Akimel O’odham) tribe.

Hayes’ path to the Marines wasn’t straightforward. After leaving high school following his second year, he worked briefly in the Civilian Conservation Corps in May and June 1942, then found employment as a carpenter. On August 26, 1942, he made the decision that would change his life forever, enlisting in the Marine Corps Reserve in Phoenix, Arizona.

Combat Journey: From Solomon Islands to Mount Suribachi

Hayes’ military service began with assignment to Company E, 2nd Battalion, 28th Marine Regiment of the 5th Marine Division. His first taste of combat came in December 1943 on Bougainville in the Solomon Islands, where he served as an automatic rifleman wielding a Browning Automatic Rifle.

In September 1944, Hayes and his unit arrived in Hawaii to train for what would become one of the war’s most brutal campaigns. The intensive preparation couldn’t fully ready anyone for the hell of Iwo Jima. Despite the horrors he witnessed, Hayes proved himself a capable Marine, rising from Private to Corporal with his promotion on June 19, 1945.

The island was finally secured on March 26, 1945, but victory came at a terrible cost. Hayes’ 5th Marine Division suffered devastating casualties, with many of his closest friends among the dead.

War Bond Tour and the Burden of Fame

After being identified as one of the surviving flag-raisers, Hayes found himself reassigned to a different kind of duty – the Seventh War Loan drive. On April 15, 1945, he secured a flight from Hawaii back to the continental United States, beginning a new chapter that would prove more challenging than combat.

The war bond tours thrust Hayes into a spotlight he never sought. Americans saw him as a symbol of victory, but Hayes couldn’t escape the memory of friends who didn’t return. His discomfort with fame grew as he traveled the country, expected to play the hero while processing his own trauma.

Even after returning to military duty, departing for occupation duty in Sasebo, Japan on September 22, 1945, Hayes couldn’t escape his newfound celebrity. In 1946, he helped correct the historical record by revealing the true identity of one of the Marines in the photograph, showing his commitment to historical accuracy over personal gain.

Hayes’ reluctant participation in Hollywood came in 1949 when he portrayed himself in “Sands of Iwo Jima” alongside John Wayne. The experience only deepened his sense of being exploited as a patriotic prop.

The Price of Heroism: PTSD, Alcoholism, and Discrimination

Returning to civilian life proved impossible for Hayes. He suffered from what we now recognize as post-traumatic stress disorder, though such conditions weren’t well understood or treated in the 1940s and 50s. Alcohol became his escape from memories that haunted him day and night.

Employment opportunities remained scarce for a man with limited education. His final job – picking cotton at three dollars per hundred pounds – stood in stark contrast to his status as a national hero. The irony wasn’t lost on Hayes, who felt increasingly bitter about his exploitation.

Perhaps most painful was witnessing continued discrimination against his people. As a Tragic Hero celebrated by white America, Hayes occupied a unique position to speak out against the mistreatment of American Indians. He used his platform when possible, though his individual impact remained frustratingly limited.

A Hero’s Tragic End

On November 10, 1954, Hayes attended the dedication of the Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington County, Virginia. The monument, based on Rosenthal’s photograph, stood as a permanent reminder of that moment on Mount Suribachi. For Hayes, it likely represented both pride and pain.

Just over two months later, on the night of January 23-24, 1955, Hayes’ demons finally overwhelmed him. After a night of heavy drinking, he died of exposure due to cold and alcohol poisoning. He was found dead in a field near Bapchule, Arizona, not far from where he was born.

Hayes was only 32 years old, having just passed his birthday. On February 2, 1955, he was buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery, finally at rest among the fellow Marines he never stopped mourning.

Enduring Legacy: From Reservation to National Memory

The Gila River Indian Community continues to celebrate Hayes’ life annually in Sacaton, Arizona. As former post commander Giff noted, “We didn’t know about the Marine Corps on this reservation until Ira Hayes showed us what it was.” His influence inspired generations of Native Americans to serve their country.

Hayes’ story has been retold through various media over the decades:

• Tony Curtis portrayed him in the 1961 film “The Outsider”
• Johnny Cash popularized “The Ballad of Ira Hayes,” written by Peter La Farge in 1964
• Adam Beach brought Hayes to life in Clint Eastwood’s 2006 film “Flags of Our Fathers”

Each retelling adds layers to our understanding of a man caught between worlds – celebrated as an American hero while his people faced systemic discrimination.

Native American Service and Sacrifice

Hayes represents the often-overlooked contributions of Native Americans to the US military. His story illuminates the dual identity challenges faced by Native American veterans who served a country that didn’t always serve them equally.

The flag-raising image transcended simple photography to become a powerful symbol during a time of national crisis. Yet for Hayes, it became a burden that defined and confined him. His legacy emphasizes both the contributions and sacrifices of Native Americans in service to the United States.

Today, when I look at that famous photograph, I see more than just six Marines raising a flag. I see Ira Hayes – a young Pima Indian who left his reservation to fight for his country, became an unwilling celebrity, and ultimately paid the price for a fame he never wanted. His story reminds us that behind every heroic image lies a human being, complete with struggles, dreams, and demons.

Sources

Wikipedia: Ira Hayes

Marine Corps University: Corporal Ira Hamilton Hayes

Museum of Native American History: Ira Hayes- Pima Native American and National War Hero

KJZZ: Ira Hayes helped raise the flag at Iwo Jima

EBSCO Research Starters: Ira Hamilton Hayes

Words of Veterans: Ira Hayes: Raising the Flag on Mount Suribachi

Utah Public Radio: What the life of Ira Hayes can teach us about the price of heroism

World War II Database: Ira Hayes