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Ira Hayes at Iwo Jima, what is on his belt?

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  • Member since
    January 2006
  • From: Baton Rouge, Snake Central
Ira Hayes at Iwo Jima, what is on his belt?
Posted by PatlaborUnit1 on Thursday, April 3, 2008 12:17 PM

I hope someone has an answer, I have done some net searching, to no joy. What is tucked into Ira Hayes belt at the flagrasing on top of Mt. Suribachi?. I had long presumed it was the flag tha had been removed, to be replaced with the larger flag that he and his mates were erecting. but I see no proof of this.  It sort of looks like a kit bag but I know of no bag that size, other than a messengertype bag, or a medic bag.

Does anyone have info on this?

 

thanks much!

David

Build to please yourself, and don't worry about what others think! TI 4019 Jolly Roger Squadron, 501st Legion
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Massachusetts
Posted by ajlafleche on Thursday, April 3, 2008 1:30 PM
According to Bradley in the book "Flags of Our Fathers" it was a poncho and was instrumental in identifying him in the picture. IIRC, it was typical of Native American, or at l;east the Pima,  to carry their ponchos in this manner.

Remember, if the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy.

  • Member since
    May 2007
  • From: The Socialist Republik of California
Posted by Sic Semper Tyrannis! on Sunday, April 6, 2008 9:08 PM

I was just listening to Johnny Cash's "The Ballad of Ira Hayes" a few minutes ago through my napster account. Something is telling me to go watch Flags of Our Fathers/Letters from Iwo Jima for the rest of the evening.

Good night all

SST

On the losing end of a wishbone, and I won't pretend not to mind. ----------------------------------------------------------- 1/35 Dragon SdKfz 251/1 sMG Various 1/35 Figures 1/35 Dragon Stug III Ausf B. (Balkans)
  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: USA
Posted by glweeks on Wednesday, April 9, 2008 12:27 AM

It's a poncho, lots of Marines carried a poncho this way when not carrying packs and stuff. It was also carried this way in boot camp sometimes, and this is up through the beginning of the vietnam war when we were still using WWII "782 gear" (packs,tents,poncho's,cartridge belts,suspenders that kind of stuff) Colors?  The usuall olive drab, but kind of semi-gloss as it was a rubberized or plasticized fabric. Add dirt and dust too, we used them for everything, ground sheet, shelter half (tents were heavyer and not as waterproof), sun shade (fade the O.D. color), blanket and oh yeah poncho.

         happy modeling!       oh, and when you wrap it around you cartridge belt it won't be perfectly folded either. made a seat cushin too.

                                 G.L.

Seimper Fi "65"
  • Member since
    January 2006
  • From: Baton Rouge, Snake Central
Posted by PatlaborUnit1 on Wednesday, April 16, 2008 10:14 AM

thanks for the feedback everyone. Now I know what direction to head in!!!

 

David

Build to please yourself, and don't worry about what others think! TI 4019 Jolly Roger Squadron, 501st Legion
  • Member since
    January 2007
Posted by the doog on Wednesday, April 16, 2008 11:06 PM
 Sic Semper Tyrannis wrote:

I was just listening to Johnny Cash's "The Ballad of Ira Hayes" a few minutes ago through my napster account. Something is telling me to go watch Flags of Our Fathers/Letters from Iwo Jima for the rest of the evening.

Good night all

SST

What an awesome song! I always loved that one, and "Comanche"--man, that was some song-writing!
  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: Greenville, NC
Posted by jtilley on Thursday, April 17, 2008 1:25 AM

I read somewhere or other that the object in question was an American Indian blanket (a small one, presumably).  Whenever the color movie of the scene runs on TV I try to remember to watch for any sign of bright color on that object.  So far my eye hasn't been quick enough to catch it - if it's there.

The poncho identification may well be right, though.

Youth, talent, hard work, and enthusiasm are no match for old age and treachery.

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