Last Crow War Chief And Respected Indian Leader Dies at 102

Joe Medicine Crow, who was a revered and well-known historian of Montana's Crow Tribe, and also the last surviving Plains Indian war chief, was 102 years when he died, Montana Gov. Steve Bullock said.

The death was confirmed by Big Horn County coroner Terry Bullis. Crow died in a hospice facility in Billings.

"Today, Lisa and I join Montanans to pay respect and celebrate the rich life of Dr. Joe Medicine Crow," Bullock said Sunday afternoon. "Joe was a Crow War Chief, veteran, elder, historian, author, and educator. His legacy will forever serve as an inspiration for all Native Americans - and all Montanans."

The famous Medicine Crow lived for most of the time on the Crow Reservation near Lodge Grass, Montana. He donned his war paint under his World War II uniform and was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama in 2009.

He was the only surviving Plains war chief. He got the honor due to his heroism in World War II. He completed four tasks to receive the honor, which the national newspaper Indian Country Today explained in 2013. He had turned 100 on that year.

The tasks included: leading successful war parties behind enemy lines, stealing German horses, disarming an enemy and finally engaging an enemy but not taking away his life. It was a German soldier whom he overthrew with a tussle fought by hand, but then he spared his life.

"I always told people, 'When you meet Joe Medicine Crow, you're shaking hands with the 19th century, " said Herman Viola, curator emeritus at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American Indians.

Medicine Crow's take was narrated by historian Ken Burns in a 2007 documentary titled "The War." Following it, Medicine Crow was the tribal historian of the Crows and gave wide lectures as well as speeches regarding the Battle of Little Bighorn. For the battle, his grandfather had been a scout for Gen. George Armstrong Custer.

"Today, Montana lost a treasure," said Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, who nominated Medicine Crow for the Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor.

"Joe Medicine Crow was a soldier and a scholar, but above all was a fierce advocate for Native American families," Tester said. "When you spoke with Joe Medicine Crow, it was impossible not to be inspired. I know his legacy will motivate generations of Montanans to follow in his footsteps and live a life dedicated to serving other."