Joe Medicine Crow, a member of the Crow Tribe of Montana, received the 2009 Presidential Medal of Freedom at a White House ceremony on Wednesday.

Medicine Crow, 96, is a historian and author. He is known for his work on the Battle of Little Big Horn, the 1876 battle in which his grandfather served as a scout for General George Armstrong Custer.

A veteran of World War II, Medicine Crow obtained the honor of becoming the last war chief of the Crow Tribe. He completed four key tasks while fighting in Europe

"Born just a generation past the Battle of the Little Big Horn, a grandson of a scout for General Custer himself, Dr. Joseph Medicine Crow was the first member of his tribe to attend college and earn a Master's," President Barack Obama said yesterday. "Before completing his PhD, he left to serve in World War II. Wearing war paint beneath his uniform, and a sacred feather beneath his helmet, Joseph Medicine Crow completed the four battlefield deeds that made him the last Crow war chief. Historian, educator, and patriot -- a good man, a bacheitche in Crow -- Dr. Medicine Crow's life reflects not only the warrior spirit of the Crow people, but America's highest ideals."

Get the Story:
16 Honored With Medal Of Freedom (The Washington Post 8/13)
Obama Gives Medal of Freedom to 16 Luminaries (The New York Times 8/13)
'A Good Man' Receives Medal of Freedom (AP 8/12)

White House Documents:
"Thank You to Some of the Finest Citizens" | 2009 Medal of Freedom Recipients | President Obama Names Medal of Freedom Recipients

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Joe Medicine Crow to receive Medal of Freedom (7/30)