AFP, WASHINGTON: Joe Medicine Crow, the last surviving Plains Indian war chief—a title obtained for his World War II feats—died on Sunday, Montana state Governor Steve Bullock said. He was 102.
President Barack Obama had honoured Medicine Crow with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, in 2009.
“Joe was a Crow War Chief, veteran, elder, historian, author, and educator,” Bullock said in a statement announcing his death.
“His legacy will forever serve as an inspiration for all Native Americans - and all Montanans.”
Medicine Crow studied anthropology in college, and for three decades worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs. He later became the official historian of Montana’s Crow Tribe.
Medicine Crow put aside his graduate studies when the United States entered World War II and he volunteered for military service.