Honors

At the end of World War II, many Native Americans were awarded medals from both France and the United States government. Paratrooper Ira Hayes, received a medal of honor for his service on Iwo Jima. After the fight, Hayes was photographed along with other military personnel, raising the flag on Iwo Jima. Hayes could not handle his new found fame and suffered from Post Traumatic Distress and alcoholism. Another man named Lt. Ernest Childers.  fought in Italy and became the first Native American to win a medal of honor in World War II. While in Italy he single- handedly took down two machine gun nests. Over the course of World War II, Native Americans won Purple Hearts, Distinguished Flying Crosses, Bronze Stars, Silver Stars, Air Medals, Distinguished Service Crosses, and three Congressional Medals of Honor.

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Ira Hayes training at the Marine Corps Paratrooper School. Later on he will seen in the Rising of the flag in Iwo Jima photograph.

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The famous photograph was taken by Joe Rosenthal. After Americans won the fight soilders, inlcuding Ira Hayes raised the flag on the island.

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Lt. Ernest Childers, a Creek, being congratulated by Gen. Jacob L. Devers after receiving the Congressional Medal of Honor in Italy for wiping out two machine gun nests