Joe Medicine Crow

Since June 1st, the day Hayley and I arrived in Garryowen, we have been hearing and reading about a man by the name of Joe Medicine Crow. After months of talking and learning about this man, we began to think he was only a mystical figure. Yesterday we learned he was much more. After hearing news that Joe Medicine Crow was in Garryowen, Hayley and I could barely contain our excitement, although Hayley kept much more composed than I was, watching me run around like I was going to meet an A list celebrity. (Which Joe Medicine Crow, has grown to be someone even better for me.)

After talking to him briefly and having what seemed like an official “welcome to Crow Country,” we were able to get our pictures taken with this stoic man.

At the age of 96, although he does not look or act a day over 60, Joe Medicine Crow grew up hearing stories and learning about the Battle of Little Bighorn from his grandfather, White Man Runs Him, one of Custer’s Crow Scouts. Joe, who is a tribal elder, historian and author, received his master’s degree in Anthropology from the University of Southern California in 1939. Shortly after he joined the 103rd Infantry Division in World War II, where he completed all four tasks of “Counting Coup” on enemy soldiers: being the first to touch an enemy soldier, stealing an enemy soldier’s horse, disarming an enemy soldier, and leading a successful war party. He became the last Crow to become a war chief.

In August of 2009, Joe Medicine Crow traveled to Washington, D.C. in order to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom Honor from Barack Obama. This is the highest honor a United States civilian can achieve for their contribution to world peace, or other cultural accomplishments. Here is a link to the article that describes the historic event:

http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/article_911f356c-7d5f-11de-8132-001cc4c002e0.html


Having the chance to meet a man with so much history, merit, and knowledge was a true honor and an amazing experience, one that I am sure Hayley and I will never forget!

-Kiley