Chief Falling Cloud

An Akimel O'odham Indigenous American and a United States Marine during World War II. Hayes was an enrolled member of the Gila River Indian Community, located in Pinal and Maricopa counties in Arizona.

Joe Rosenthal's iconic photo: Iwo Jima, February 23, 1945

Ira Hayes is just one of the gallant figures immortalized in that photograph, a native of the Gila River Indian Community, born on January 12, 1923. Hayes lived a life that oscillated between triumph and tragedy, marked by the indomitable spirit of a warrior. Raised as the eldest of six children in a family rooted in farming cotton, his journey took a decisive turn when he enlisted in the Marine Corps in August 1942 at the tender age of 19, following in the footsteps of his father, a World War I veteran.

After completing his training, Hayes was assigned to Marine paratrooper training at Camp Gillespie. Whether by choice or duty, he earned his silver wings and acquired the moniker "Chief Falling Cloud." Subsequently, he embarked on a tour of duty in the Pacific theater, participating in crucial battles at Vella Lavella Island and Bougainville Island.

It was within the crucible of conflict that Hayes found himself among the 70,000 men deployed to seize the strategic island of Iwo Jima. Amidst the ferocity of battle, Hayes and his comrades raised the American flag atop Mount Suribachi, a symbol of unwavering resolve and triumph against all odds. Despite the harrowing toll of combat, Hayes emerged as one of the few survivors among his platoon, his resilience a testament to the human spirit's resilience in the face of adversity.

Following his return to the United States and subsequent promotion to corporal, Hayes continued to serve his country, participating in the occupation and reconstruction efforts in Japan.

However, the scars of war ran deep, and Hayes grappled with the unseen wounds of PTSD and alcoholism, a burden he carried silently amidst public acclaim and recognition.

Despite his inner turmoil, Hayes remained committed to advocating for Indigenous rights, using his platform to challenge discrimination and injustice. Yet, the weight of his experiences proved overwhelming, and on January 24, 1955, Hayes was found deceased near his home in Sacaton, Arizona, his life claimed by exposure and alcohol poisoning at the age of 32.

In death, Hayes was honored with the "biggest funeral in the history of Arizona," laid to rest in Section 34 of Arlington National Cemetery, where his legacy endures as a testament to the sacrifices made by veterans like him. Though his physical presence may have departed, his spirit lives on, immortalized in the annals of history as a symbol of courage, resilience, and the enduring human spirit.