Johnny Cash - Ballad of Ira Hayes

[drjohnson98]

Great video. Best I could find on Youtube combining the song with images of Hayes himself. Was thinking about him today, 23 Feb, on the anniversary of the flag raising on Mt. Suribachi. I'm a lifetime fan of Johnny Cash and this was always one of my favorites. Combined with my later love of military history, the song became more significant for its meaning (and accuracy). Also a great example of the intersection of Johnny's musical talent and efforts on behalf of Native Americans. Thanks!

[Nimadan]

Kennimak, Ira Hayes was NOT one of 27 Marines surviving the battle.

The island of Iwo Jima was assaulted by three entire Marine divisions. A WW2 Marine division had app 20,000 troops which makes roughly 60,000 total. And NO, the Japanese didn't kill all but 27 of them. The freakin Japanese were tough but they weren't THAT tough, ctm.



[Kennimak]

@Nimadan

Thank you for your comment... you are correct. Ira Hayes was one of the 27 Marines in his company to survive the battle... I have made the appropriate changes.

Thanks again.

[mrprojoe1]

i acnt believe that he died and went 2 jail that is just wrong cause he served in a war and doesnt get treated rightly

[VanWADebbie]

It is a shame that the VA and his tribe didn`t help him.

His picture ought to be on a postage stamp.

[Leowen2]

Just like the Australian Aborigines who went to war for Australia and after were treated like a 4th class person.

[michaelsterling28]

That's such a sad story, i drink too much too :(

[seapro17]

I'm sitting here (at 53 ) listening to Cash, Jimmy Dean and Barry Sadler remembering my dad playing this stuff on that big ass stereo console and appreciating the freakin greatness of this music. The lyrics, the deep meaning of the songs. Damn these guys were great and had as much to say in their songs as those greats we grew up with in the 70"s and such. I read somewhere that in 68 (?) that 1 of every 4 albums sold in the US was a J Cash album. Imagine that Jacko !!!!!!!!!!!!

[fluffydolly]

true american hero ....indian /marine/american!!!!! iwo jima never forget it!!!!! usmc forever!!!!!

[girlmorgue]

Thank you Ira

[SpAzZyWoNdErZ]

Thank you Ira 🇺🇸

[2westvirginia]

i rember stories told of this American Hero Johnny sure knew how to get thr truth across

[Broxi57]

Ira's story isn't new, it isn't about 'race' (whatever that is), it is about people, people who deserve our respect, even when our governments seem to 'forget' what they have given, we should not.

It's now 2012. "Raise a glass, to absent friends" .... 'Arte et Marte'

[Kennimak]

@Broxi57

Well said... I'll raise my glass to that.

[MrFadetoblack101]

Im a CREE Indian and ill raise my glass to that!!

[Charliecomet82]

Just think, during WWII, we simple redskins knew more about being loyal to our country than so many of those civilized, sophisticated Europeans!

[RougeSamurai77]

Poor Ira :(

[mrprojoe1]

i cant believe nobody cared what ira did for his country

he should got a house at least

[KD5XB]

@Gozaryn I had never considered it, but -- HOW RIGHT YOU ARE! Anybody who dukes it out with the bad guys is OK in my book!

[RougeSamurai77]

R.I.P. Ira Hayes

[dolphin9731]

@KD5XB There was a lot of Army in the Pacific theater too. My father was US Army infantry and was on Guadalcanal, New Guinea and the Philippines. .

[KD5XB]

@dolphin9731 True -- but Ira Hayes was a MARINE.

[dolphin9731]

@KD5XB That Hayes was a Marine was not what I was responding to or questioning. You said, and I quote: " And IIRC, the Army really did well in Europe, but I believe the Pacific war was fought mainly by the Navy and Marine Corps". To which I said "there was a lot of Army in the Pacific too", It wasn't fought by mainly Navy and Marines. The liberation of The Philippines was predominately US Army as for the ground forces. That was a huge campaign.

[KD5XB]

@dolphin9731 OK, I missed that. I had thought this thread was over some five months ago, and I don't remember it as well as I should.

[tinadarm33]

@hotmn4u The same men and women in todays military STILL give their lives just as they did 70 years ago...They are all heroes just simply for their sacrifice. (Their sacrifice GAVE you the right to type what you did...so at least be thankful for that)

[StonewallJackson26]

God bless the Marines who perished on that hell hole.

[Harmonica763]

love ya indian brother.

[darter187]

@bwnichol that is a fact most were marines but not all of them

[fnjeep90]

respect all vets and i'm one and couldn even imajin what he went thru ira hayse is a hero and survived a living hell

[joshuabrooks21]

In all honesty, I think Montgomery Gentry's song, "Didn't I?" speaks volumes for our veterans, both past, and present. However, Ira Hayes was just one man, and the U.S. Armed Forces are many, but the old saying is, "I am but one man, but one man can do great things." I also like this song, one of Johnny's best. RIP to both Ira Hayes (1923-1955) and Johnny Cash (1932-2003)

[Kennimak]

@joshuabrooks21

Very nicely said... thanks for your comment.

[joshuabrooks21]

@Kennimak You're welcome.

[ultimatepiemaster]

Ira Hayes didn't die alone in a ditch, he was in an arguement after playing poker and starting vomiting blood and passed away...

[Kennimak]

@KD5XB

Thanks for pointing out my mistake. You are absolutely right and I've made the correction.

Kennimak

[KD5XB]

@Kennimak Thanks! As you can tell, we are FIERCELY proud and protective of our title!

[Kennimak]

@hotmn4u

There are no military clowns 2day!!

[spoolen1]

written by

Peter LaFarge

[INUIT3333]

One of the most important Videos here, thank You!

[readlikeawolfeats2]

RIP Ira Hayes. Semper Fidelis

[hotmn4u]

an american hero

[ggeb1956]

He's the ultimate flawed hero did his duty then tortured by fate

[thebritish25]

Ira Hayes is or is one of the most intresting figures of both American history and the 2nd world war.

[Crimsondawn5]

Win.