Conversation so far:
Was Ira Hayes one of the people who raised the flag on Iwo Jima?
The raising of the second American flag on Mount Suribachi on February 23, 1945.
How many people were involved with that?
Hayes's squad leader, Sergeant Michael Strank, was ordered to take three Marines from his rifle squad in Second Platoon.
How were the three Marines chosen for this duty?
Strank chose Corporal Harlon Block, Private First Class Franklin Sousley, and Hayes for the patrol.
Were these three specific people chosen for any particular reason?
Marine Private First Class Rene Gagnon, a battalion runner for Easy Company, was ordered up the mountain with the replacement flag.

Question: Why was a replacement flag needed?
Self-contained rewrite: Why was a replacement flag needed at Iwo Jima?