Who Is Ira Hayes? Age, Biography and Wiki
Ira Hayes was born on January 12, 1923, in Sacaton, Arizona. He was a member of the Pima tribe and became widely known for his heroism during World War II as a United States Marine Corps corporal. Hayes gained national fame after being one of the flag-raisers at Iwo Jima, captured in the iconic photograph by Joe Rosenthal. Despite his military accolades, he faced struggles with fame and personal demons after the war. He passed away on January 24, 1955, but his legacy continues to resonate in American history.
| Occupation | Other |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | January 12, 1923 |
| Age | 32 Years |
| Birth Place | Sacaton, Arizona, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Capricorn |
| Country | U.S |
| Date of death | 24 January, 1955 |
| Died Place | Bapchule, Arizona, U.S. |
Popularity
Ira Hayes's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Ira Hayes' physical attributes are not extensively documented, but as a Marine, he was likely to have maintained a fit and robust physique. While specific height and weight statistics are challenging to verify, US Marines typically range from 5'6" to 6'0", with a corresponding weight of 140 to 200 lbs depending on height and muscle mass.
In the film The Outsider, his death is dramatized for the screen. He is shown drunk and freezing on a mountain top and unable to climb down. He falls asleep and is shown frozen to death with his arm and hand reaching upwards, like the time he raised the flag on Mount Suribachi.
In the song "The Ballad of Ira Hayes", he was described as being drunk and drowning in two inches of water in a ditch, not noting the cold.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Details about Ira Hayes' personal relationships are limited. He never married; however, he had several acquaintances and friendships, especially during his service years. His life post-war was marked by struggles rather than romantic engagements. He was known to have distanced himself from traditional family structures, particularly as he faced the traumas of war and the pressure of public life.
Hayes was remembered by his family and friends as being a shy and sensitive child. Sara Bernal, his niece, said, "Ira Hayes was a very quiet man; he would go days without saying anything unless you spoke to him first. The other Hayes children would play and tease me, but not Ira. He was quiet, and somewhat distant.
Ira didn't speak unless spoken to. He was just like his father." His boyhood friend Dana Norris said, "Even though I'm from the same culture, I could never get under his skin. Ira had the characteristic of not wanting to talk. But we Pimas are not prone to tooting our own horns.
Ira was a quiet guy, such a quiet guy." Despite this, Hayes was a precocious child who displayed an impressive grasp of the English language, a language that many Pima never learned to speak. He learned to read and write by the age of four and was a voracious reader.
Net Worth and Salary
Ira Hayes' net worth during his lifetime was modest, primarily derived from his military service and subsequent public appearances. However, exact figures are not documented, as he did not accumulate significant wealth. Following his death, his story and legacy were honored through various mediums, potentially leading to increased financial representation after his passing, but precise details remain unavailable.
On May 9, a flag-raising by Pfc. Hayes, Pfc. Gagnon, and PhM2c. Bradley during a ceremony at the nation's capital kicked off the bond-selling tour; the flag was the same one that had been raised on Mount Suribachi. The tour began on May 11 in New York City. On May 24, Pfc. Hayes was ordered to report to the 28th Marines in Hawaii. Pfc.
Hayes left Washington on May 25 and arrived at Hilo, Hawaii on May 29 by plane and rejoined E Company at Camp Tarawa. Pfc. Gagnon and PhM2c. Bradley finished the tour in Washington, D.C., on July 4. The bond tour was held in 33 American cities that raised over $26 billion to help pay for and win the war.
Career, Business and Investments
Ira Hayes enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1942 and quickly rose to prominence due to his involvement in the Battle of Iwo Jima. His military career was cut short by the struggles he faced after the war, including PTSD and substance abuse. While post-service, he did participate in veteran’s events and became a symbol of sacrifice, he did not engage in traditional business ventures or investments. Much of his post-military life was plagued by the burdens of fame and personal battles.
On December 2, 1942, he joined Company B, 3rd Parachute Battalion, Divisional Special Troops, 3rd Marine Division, at Camp Elliott, California.
On March 14, 1943, Hayes sailed for New Caledonia with the 3rd Parachute Battalion, which was assigned to Camp Kiser there on March 25 until September 26; the unit was redesignated in April as Company K, 3rd Parachute Battalion, 1st Marine Parachute Regiment of the I Marine Amphibious Corps.
The 3rd Parachute Battalion was shipped to Guadalcanal and remained there until it was sent to Vella Lavella, arriving on October 14 for occupational duty.
On December 4, Hayes landed with the 3rd Parachute Battalion on Bougainville and fought against the Japanese as a platoon automatic rifleman (BAR man) with Company K during the Bougainville Campaign.
The 3rd Parachute Battalion was shipped back to Guadalcanal, and he stayed there until sometime in February, when the Paramarines were sent back to California. The 1st Parachute Regiment was officially disbanded at Camp Pendleton, California, in February 1944.
Social Network
Ira Hayes does not have a direct social media presence, considering he lived during the early to mid-20th century, well before the advent of modern social networking platforms. However, his story continues to be discussed in various forums and social networks dedicated to veterans, history buffs, and those interested in WWII narratives. Remembered as a symbol of valor, Hayes' legacy is carried on through his representation in films, documentaries, and historical texts.
After the war, Hayes suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder and descended into alcoholism. On November 10, 1954, he attended the dedication of the Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington County, Virginia, which was modeled after the photograph of Hayes and five other Marines raising the second flag on Iwo Jima.
After a night of heavy drinking on January 23–24, 1955, he died of exposure due to the cold and alcohol poisoning. He was buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery on February 2, 1955.
Education
Ira Hayes attended school in his hometown of Sacaton, Arizona. Like many individuals of his era, he left school to enlist in the military. Formal education was not extensively documented, but his experiences during the war and subsequent life greatly informed his personal development and understanding of societal issues, particularly regarding veterans and Native American rights.
He was the eldest of six children born to Nancy Whitaker (1901–1972) and Joseph Hayes (1901–1986). The Hayes children were: Ira (1923–1955), Harold (1924–1925), Leonard (1925–1962), Kenneth (1931–2019), Arlene (1933–1938) and Vernon (1937–1957).
Joseph Hayes was a World War I veteran who supported his family by subsistence farming and its cotton harvesting. Nancy Hayes was a devout Presbyterian and a Sunday school teacher at the Assemblies of God church in Sacaton.
