Ira H. Hayes USMC Memorial

This memorial was dedicated on February 23, 1992, in honor of Corporal Ira H. Hayes who was one of the Marines immortalized in the iconic photo of Marines raising the American flag after capturing Mount Suribachi during the Battle of Iwo Jima. Located in Hayes' hometown of Sacaton, Arizona, a community within the Gila River Indian Community, the memorial commemorates the military service of area veterans.

Ira Hamilton Hayes was born in Sacaton, Arizona to Joseph Hayes and Nancy Hamilton on January 23, 1923. His father, Joseph, was a member of the Pima Indian Tribe which is native to the area. The oldest of six children, Hayes lived with his father and siblings within the boundaries of the Gila River Reservation. By 1942 the nation found itself entangled in yet another global conflict. It was then that Ira Hayes decided to enlist in the service.

At age 19, Ira Hayes enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on August 26, 1942. He was then shipped to the Marine Corps Depot in San Diego, California where he completed basic training. Upon the completion of basic training, Hayes was accepted into Parachute Training School which he completed and was then assigned to Company B, 3^rd Parachute Divisional Special Troops, 3rd Marine Division. In March of 1943, Hayes was deployed to Noumea, New Caledonia in the Pacific Theatre. From there Hayes saw combat for the next eleven months, having assisted in the battles of Vella Lavella Island and Bougainville Island.

Ira Hayes was deployed again in January of 1945, this time to take part in the United State’s push towards the Japanese mainland. On February 19, 1945, Hayes landed on the island of Iwo Jima. During the Battle of Iwo Jima 70,000 Marines fought to secure the small volcanic island, with their first objective being to secure the peak of Mt. Suribachi. After four days of intense fighting, the Marines succeeded in their goal and had secured Mt. Suribachi by planting the American flag on its peak. This triumphant moment did not last long, however, and the Japanese launched an attack against those Marines at the peak. After repelling the Japanese attack, photographer Joe Rosenthal gathered nearby troops and had them recreate the original moment the flag was hoisted. Of the six men in the photograph, Ira Hayes was pictured first from the left.

This photo and its accompanying story of service helped drive public support for the war effort as well as morale amongst service members. In May of 1945, the surviving members of the photo, (Ira Hayes, Renee Gagnon, and John Bradley), were sent back to the U.S. to help sell war bonds on tours across the country. Not long after his return home, however, Hayes received word that he was to be deployed again for a third and final time. By September of 1945, Hayes was back in the Pacific, this time aiding in the occupation of Japan.

After the war had ended, Ira H. Hayes returned home a decorated soldier, having received many medals for his service including a Letter of Commendation from Lieutenant General Roy S. Geiger. Due to his appearance in Joe Rosenthal’s photograph, Hayes had also garnered a large amount of fame, though he was uncomfortable with the attention and praise out of a recognition that many of his fellow Marines did not return from the battle. Hayes struggled to reintegrate into civilian life, partly owing to his traumatic experiences and his unease at being considered a hero. Hayes passed away at the age of 32 on January 24, 1955, and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Ira Hamilton Hayes, Arlington National Cemetery Website . August 21st 2006. Accessed November 12th 2021. http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/irahayes.htm.

CORPORAL IRA HAMILTON HAYES, USMCR (DECEASED), Marine Corps University. Accessed November 14th 2021. https://www.usmcu.edu/Research/Marine-Corps-History-Division/People/Whos-Who-in-Marine-Corps-History/Gagnon-Ingram/Corporal-Ira-Hamilton-Hayes/.

Ira Hayes- Pima Native American and National War Hero, Monah. January 18th 2021. Accessed November 13th 2021. https://www.monah.us/luminaries/2021/1/5/ira-hayes-national-war-hero.

Lengel, Edward G.. Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima, Bill of Rights Institute. Accessed November 13th 2021. https://billofrightsinstitute.org/essays/raising-the-flag-on-iwo-jima.

Dedicated to Ira H. Hayes USMC, THE HISTORICAL MARKER DATABASE. January 7th 2010. Accessed November 12th 2021. https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=32845.