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

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.

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!

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

 

David

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.

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

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.