Public Information

Name

Hayes, Ira

Class

2001

Biography

(1923-1955) Born on the Gila River Reservation and educated at the schools on the reservation and at Phoenix Indian School. Joined the U.S. Marines during WWII, advancing from private to corporal in the paratroopers. Spent 23 months in the Pacific war zone and fought in the battle of Bougainville. In early 1945 he participated in the battle of Iwo Jima, becoming one of the Marines to raise the United States Flag on Mt. Suribachi. In November 1954, Hayes attended the dedication in Arlington, Virginia, of the large, bronze memorial depicting the historic flag-raising event. Buried in Arlington National Cemetery, and there is a memorial to him near the Presbyterian Church at Bapchule. A park bearing his name is located in Sacaton.