Object Record
Images
Metadata
Artist |
Watt, Marie |
Nationality or Tribal Affiliation |
American, Seneca Nation Turtle Clan |
Title |
The Ballad of Ira Hayes |
Type of Object |
Needlework |
Date |
2009 |
Medium |
Reclaimed wool, thread |
Dimensions |
H-32.126 W-30.157 D-0.394 inches |
Collection |
Missoula Art Museum Collection |
MAM Sub-Collection |
Contemporary American Indian Art Collection |
How acquired |
Contemporary Collectors Circle Purchase |
Object ID |
2009.13 |
Statement about this object |
"The music of Johnny Cash led me to learn more about the Gila River Pima Indian, Ira Hayes (1923-1955). Hayes was catapulted into fame with fellow soldiers who raised the American flag on Mount Suribachi. The 'Flag Raisers of Iwo Jima,' captured in a photo by Joe Rosenthal, included marines Ira Hayes, Rene Gagnon, Harlon Block, Franklin Sousley, and Mike Strank, and Navy Corpsman, John Bradley. This iconic photo created great public support for a war that was waning on the front line and at home. A War Bond drive was created by the Federal Government using the surviving members of the flag raising photo -- Hayes, Gagnon, and Bradley -- to promote the effort. "After the war, Hayes returned to the Gila River reservation with hopes of leading a normal life. During a period where it was uncommon for non-Indian people to come to the reservation, there were many visitors who wanted to meet him first hand. Hayes suffered from alcoholism, believed to be a symptom of the post traumatic stress syndrome he suffered as a veteran. It wasn't until the 1960s activism of Audie Murphy that greater public awareness was director to this medical and psychiatric condition that continues to haunt veterans to this day. Hayes was arrested over 50 times as a result of his drunkedness. He was found dead at the age of 32 in a ditch near his home -- his death was attributed to a scuffle and consumption, but was never investigated by police. The 'Ballad of Ira Hayes' was written by Peter LaFarge and was number 3 on the Billboard country music charts in 1964." -- Marie Watt |
Subjects |
Native Americans Veterans History |
Search Terms |
World War II |
People |
Hayes, Ira |