x
Breaking News
More () »

Crow Tribe elder Joe Medicine Crow dead at age 102

Acclaimed American Indian historian Joseph Medicine Crow, the last surviving war chief for his Plains Indians tribe, has died. He was 102.
Joseph Medicine Crow, photo from AP report

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Acclaimed American Indian historian Joseph Medicine Crow, the last surviving war chief for his Plains Indians tribe, has died. He was 102.

Funeral home director Terry Bullis said Medicine Crow died Sunday.

Medicine Crow grew up and lived most of his life on the Crow Reservation near Lodge Grass, Montana.

As a child he listened to stories about the Battle of Little Bighorn told by a relative who served as a scout for Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer.

Medicine Crow later served as the tribe’s historian and continued to lecture into his 90s.

Medicine Crow earned the title of war chief after stealing enemy horses and other exploits as a U.S. solider during World War II. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009.

Before You Leave, Check This Out