Dr. Joseph Medicine Crow Endorsement, Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipient Jul 31. 2011 | Comments (0)
Dr. (Chief) Joseph Medicine Crow is a Native American and a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom awarded in 2009 for his work
as a historian and author.
Dr. Medicine Crow was the first member of the Crow tribe to
graduate college. This was in 1939 and he was awarded a degree in
anthropology.
During WWII he served as a Corporal in the same area
as Audie (Vosges Mountains) and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal.
Post war
he has written many books on the
Plains Indians and is the Crow tribal historian. In addition, his Grandfather served as a Scout
under Custer and was at the Little Big Horn.
Dr. Medicine Crow is a guest
lecturer (as of 2009) at the Custer Battlefield.
Here is a link to his
bio:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Medicine_Crow
Dr. Medicine Crow is the last true War Chief of the Plains Indians.
This is because he met all four (4) requirements to become a Chief during WWII.
Here is a quote from wiki:
"Joseph Medicine Crow joined the
army, becoming a scout in the 103rd Infantry Division. Whenever he went into
battle, he wore his war paint beneath his uniform and a sacred eagle feather
beneath his helmet.
Medicine Crow completed all four tasks required to
become a war chief.
1) He touched a living enemy soldier.
2) He
spared an enemy when he turned a corner and found himself face to face with a
young German soldier:
The collision knocked the German's weapon to the
ground. Mr. Medicine Crow lowered his own weapon and the two fought
hand-to-hand. In the end Mr. Crow got the best of the German, grabbing him by
the neck and choking him. He was going to kill the German soldier on the spot
when the man screamed out "momma." Mr. Crow then let him go.
3) He led a
successful war party and stole an enemy horse.
(4) Making a midnight raid
to steal the horses from a battalion of German officers (as he rode off, he sang
a traditional Crow honor song.) He was the last member of the Crow tribe to
become a war chief.
Of his story, noted documentarian Ken Burns said,
"The story of Joseph Medicine Crow is something I've wanted to tell for 20
years." Mr. Medicine Crow was interviewed and appeared in the 2007 Ken Burns PBS series The War, describing his World War II
service."
Dr. Medicine Crow is the author of numerous books on the Plains Indians and we are pleased to have his endorsement our our campaign as signature number 9385.