February 23, 1945

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It was 71 years ago that one of the most iconic events in World War II occurred. U.S. Marines, fighting on the Japanese island of Iwo Jima, took the island and raised the U.S. flag. The photo of the Marines planting the flag (which was a recreation of the original flag raising) became one of the most memorable photos of the entire war, and in U.S. history. The Marine Corps War Memorial in Washington DC is a recreation of that famous photo. One of the most famous participants in that flag raising was Ira Hayes. He was an American Indian who served in the Marine Corps and became the subject of several movies. He even played himself in the John Wayne film Sands of Iwo Jima. Hayes died in 1955, and his sad story was written into a "talking blues" song by songwriter Peter LaFarge. His song, "The Ballad of Ira Hayes," became a top five hit for Johnny Cash in 1964. Thank you, Marines, for your sacrifices in World War II and all wars. Semper fi! Johnny Cash's "The Ballad of Ira Hayes": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KX1pLlmMcmk