Fred E. Haynes

HAYNES FRED E. HAYNES (Age 89) Fred E. Haynes, 89, a retired Marine Corps Major General, died March 25, 2010 in a New York City hospital. He was a veteran of the iconic battle of Iwo Jima in WWII and founder of the Iwo Jima Association of America. He served with the 28th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division on Iwo Jima - the same regiment that raised the now famous flag on Mt. Suribachi. The picture, taken by Joe Rosenthal during the heat of the battle, has become the world-wide symbol of Marine Corps heroism. General Haynes served his country for almost 40 years, including three wars. Just prior to his demise, he participated in the 65th Anniversary of Iwo Jima Reunion and Symposium at the National Museum of the Marine Corps at Quantico, Virginia. General Haynes served in Korea in 1954 as the Executive Officer, Second Battalion, lst Marine Regiment. In Vietnam, 1966-67, he served as both Commanding Officer, 5th Marine Regiment, and as Chief of Staff, Task Force X-Ray, lst Marine Division. As a general officer he served as Legislative Assistant to the Commandant of the Marine Corps and subsequently commanded both the 2d and 3d Marine Divisions. With extensive experience handling prisoners of war, General Haynes also advised presidential candidates, as well as sitting presidents, on the treatment of those captured during battle. He strongly advocated humane treatment of all prisoners, not only because he believed "it was the moral thing to do", but also because humane treatment often provided valuable intelligence at a time when the lives of servicemen and women depended on it. General Haynes, along with co-author James A. Warren, wrote the best-selling military book on WWII, "The Lions of Iwo Jima". It is a firsthand account of the 4,500 Marines, from Combat Team 28, 5th Marine Division, during the ferocious battle for Iwo Jima in 1945, in which the General actively participated. This highly decorated Marine Corps General is survived by his wife Bonnie Arnold Haynes, three children Karen Francis Haynes, Fred Elmore Haynes, William Lane Haynes and stepdaughter Alexandra Samantha Tramont. Services to be held at a later date.