Medicine Crow joined the Army in 1943, becoming a scout in the 103rd Infantry Division and fought in World War II. Whenever he went into battle, he wore his war paint beneath his uniform and a sacred eagle feather beneath his helmet. Medicine Crow completed all four tasks required to become a war chief: Touching an enemy without killing him, taking an enemy's weapon, leading a successful war party and stealing an enemy's horse.
He touched a living enemy soldier and disarmed an enemy when he turned a corner and found himself face to face with a young German soldier:
| “ | The collision knocked the German's weapon to the ground. Mr. [Medicine] Crow lowered his own weapon and the two fought hand-to-hand. In the end Mr. Crow got the best of the German, grabbing him by the neck and choking him. He was going to kill the German soldier on the spot when the man screamed out "momma." Mr. Crow then let him go. | ” |
He also led a successful war party and stole an enemy horse, making a midnight raid to steal the horses from a battalion of German officers (as he rode off, he sang a traditional Crow honor song.) He is the last member of the Crow tribe to become a war chief.
And a true bad ass!
DAMN ! Right on.
ReplyDeleteIt's really amazing, the exploits of real people on the battlefield. When faced with death, the human reverts to the basics; calling out to a loved one is a condition shared by those on both sides. The chiefs response shows a respect for life even in the heat of battle.
ReplyDeleteI hope I am never placed in such a situation; war is hell, and requires much from its combatants.