Joe Medicine Crow | |
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![]() Medicine Crow (right) with President Barack Obama in 2009 | |
Born | Joseph Medicine Crow October 27, 1913 Near Lodge Grass, Montana, U.S. |
Died | April 3, 2016 Billings, Montana, U.S. | (aged 102)
Nationality | Crow, American |
Alma mater | Linfield College University of Southern California |
Occupation(s) | Historian, war chief, anthropologist, author |
Relatives | Pauline Small (cousin) White Man Runs Him (step-grandfather) |
Awards | ![]() |
Military career | |
Allegiance | ![]() |
Service/ | ![]() |
Years of service | 1943–1946 |
Rank | ![]() |
Unit | 103rd Infantry Division |
Battles/wars | World War II |
Awards | ![]() ![]() |
Joseph Medicine Crow (October 27, 1913 – April 3, 2016) was a Native American writer, historian and war chief of the Crow Tribe. His writings on Native American history and reservation culture are considered seminal works, but he is best known for his writings and lectures concerning the Battle of the Little Bighorn of 1876.
Medicine Crow was a World War II veteran, serving as a scout in the 103rd Infantry Division of the U.S. Army. He received the Bronze Star Medal and the Légion d'honneur for his service during World War II. In 2009, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Barack Obama.
Medicine Crow was a founding member of the Traditional Circle of Indian Elders and Youth.[1] He was the last war chief of the Crow Tribe and the last Plains Indian war chief.