Ira Hamilton Hayes was born to Nancy Hamilton and Joseph Hayes on January 12, 1923, in Sacaton, AZ. He was the eldest of eight children. The Hayes family moved to Bapchule, Arizona in 1932 and Ira attended the Phoenix Indian School for high school.

After he graduated in June, Hayes enlisted in the Marine Forces Reserves on August 24, 1942. After military training and being qualified as a parachutist, Hayes was sent to the South Pacific where his unit was re-designated Company K, 3d Parachute Battalion, 1st Marine Parachute Regiment and he participated in campaigns on Vella Lavella and Bougainville. He returned to the U.S. on February 14, 1944, and was later transferred to Company E, 2d Battalion, 28th Marines, of the 5th Marine Division.

Hayes participated in the large assault on Iwo Jima, landing on February 19, 1945. On February 23, 1945, Ira Hayes and five of his peers – Harlon Block, John Bradley, Rene Gagnon, Franklin Sousley, and Michael Strank – climbed Mount Suribuchi to plant an American flag to signify the end of conflict. The image was captured by an Associated Press photographer and later became a well-known symbol of that particular campaign.

Hayes was honorably discharged on December 1, 1945. Hayes died on January 24, 1955. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.