Joe Medicine Crow, a member of the Crow Tribe of Montana, has been named one of 16 recipients of the 2009 Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor.

Crow, who was born in 1913, 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, Crow obtained the honor of becoming a war chief of the Crow Tribe. He completed four tasks while fighting in Europe.

"His contributions to the preservation of the culture and history of the First Americans are matched only by his importance as a role model to young Native Americans across the country," the White House said today.

Other recipients this year include the Sen. Edward Kennedy, former Supreme Court justice Sandra Day O’Connor, actor Sidney Poitier, South African religious leader Desmond Tutu and the late former Congressman Jack Kemp.

“These outstanding men and women represent an incredible diversity of backgrounds," President Barack Obama said today. "Their tremendous accomplishments span fields from science to sports, from fine arts to foreign affairs. Yet they share one overarching trait: Each has been an agent of change. Each saw an imperfect world and set about improving it, often overcoming great obstacles along the way."

Obama will present the awards at a ceremony on Wednesday, August 12.