Ira Hayes

War Hero

Birthday January 12, 1923

Birth Sign Capricorn

Birthplace Arizona

DEATH DATE Jan 24, 1955 (32)

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About

Pima Native American war hero who was a United States Marine corporal and one of the six flag risers in the iconic photograph of the flag raising on Iwo Jima during World War II. He was awarded with the Combat Action Ribbon and the Presidential Unit Citation.

Before Fame

He went to the Phoenix Indian School for two years and served in the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1942.

Trivia

His thoughts about his unwanted fame after becoming a war hero was talked about in the 1959 book The Outsider by William Bradford Huie.

Family Life

He was born the eldest of six children to teacher Nancy Hamilton and World War II veteran Joseph Hayes.

Associated With

He was portrayed by Adam Beach in the 2006 film Flags of Our Fathers.