Hayes, Ira Hamilton Eberhard.

Hayes, Ira Hamilton Eberhard, born 12-01-1913 in in the Pima Indian Reservation of Gila River, Arizona,

  Ira participant in the famous flag raising on Iwo Jima, was a Pima Indian. In 1932, the family moved a few miles southward to Bapchule. Both Sacaton and Bapchule are located within the boundaries of the Gila River Indian Reservation in south central Arizona. Hayes left high school after completing two years of study. He served in the Civilian Conservation Corps in May and June of 1942, and then went to work as a carpenter. On 26-08-1942, Ira Hayes enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve at Phoenix for the duration of the National Emergency. Following boot camp at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot at San Diego, Hayes was assigned to the Parachute Training School at Camp Gillespie, Marine Corps Base, San Diego. Graduated one month later, the Arizonan was qualified as a parachutist on 30 November and promoted to private first class the next day. On 2 December, he joined Company B, 3^rd Parachute Battalion, Divisional Special Troops, 3^rd Marine Division, nicknamed “Fighting Third” , at Camp Elliott, California, with which he sailed for Noumea, New Caledonia, on 14-03-1943. In April, Hayes’ unit was redesigned Company K, 3^rd Parachute Battalion, 1^st Marine Parachute Regiment .  In October Hayes sailed for Vella Lavella, arriving on the 14^th. Here, he took part in the campaign and occupation of that island until 3 December when he moved north to Bougainville, arriving on the 4^th. The campaign there was already underway, but the parachutists had a full share of fighting before they left on 15-01-1944. Hayes was ordered to return to the United States where he landed at San Diego on 14-02-1944, after slightly more than 11 months overseas and two campaigns.   The parachute units were disbanded in February, and Hayes was transferred to Company E, 2^rd Battalion, 28^th Marines, of the 5^th Marine Division, nickname “Spearhead” , then at Camp Pendleton, California. Casualties of the 5^th Marine Division in WWII, killed in action/died of wounds, 2.416, wounded in action, 6.860 and total casualties, 9.276. In September, Hayes sailed with his company for Hawaii for more training. He sailed from Hawaii in January en route to Iwo Jima where he landed on D-day (19-02-1945) and remained during the fighting until 26 March. Then he embarked for Hawaii where he boarded a plane for the U.S. on 15 April. On the 19^th, he joined Company C, 1^st Headquarters Battalion, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, Washington, D.C. On 10 May, Hayes, Private First Class Rene Gagnon, Pharmacist’s Mate Second Class Bradley, and Marine Technical Sergeant Keyes Beech, a combat correspondent, left on the bond selling tour. In Chicago, Hayes received orders directing his return to the 28^th Marines . He arrived at Hilo, Hawaii, and rejoined Company E of the 29^th on 28 May. Three weeks later, on 19 June, he was promoted to corporal. With the end of the war, Corporal Hayes and his company left Hilo and landed at Sasebo, Japan, on 22 September to participate in the occupation of Japan. On 25 October, Corporal Hayes boarded his eleventh and last ship to return to his homeland for the third time. Landing at San Francisco on 9 November, he was honorably discharged on 1 December. Corporal Hayes was awarded a Letter of Commendation with Commendation Ribbon by the Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific, Lieutenant General Roy S. Geiger,  for his “meritorious and efficient performance of duty while serving with a Marine infantry battalion during operations against the enemy on Vella Lavella and Bougainville, British Solomon Islands, from 15 August to 15-12-1943, and on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, from 19 February to 27-03-1945.” The list of the Corporal’s decorations and medals includes the Commendation Ribbon with “V” combat device, Presidential Unit Citation with one star (for Iwo Jima), Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with four stars (for Vella Lavella, Bougainville, Consolidation of the Northern Solomons, and Iwo Jima), American Campaign Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal.

Death and burial ground of Hayes, Ira Hamilton Eberhard.

The glamour life was to much for Ira and the former Marine died, age 32, at Bapchule, on 24-01-1955 of excessive drinking.

 He was buried on 02-02-1955 at Arlington National Cemetery, in Section 34, Plot 479 A. In Section 34 are also buried, Air Force General, Commanding General U.S. Army Forces, Henry Happy Arnold and Major General, Commander 1^st Infantry Division, James Collins, Major General, Pacific Theatre. General Spencer Akin.

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