Obama on Medicine Crow

Crow Chief, World War II veteran, receives the nation's highest civilian honor at White House

By Mary Clare JalonickA 95-year-old Crow Indian who went into battle wearing war paint under his World War II uniform has been awarded the nation's highest civilian honor.

Wearing a traditional headdress, Joe Medicine Crow on Wednesday received the Presidential Medal of Freedom at the White House. The award was clasped around his neck by President Barack Obama.Remarks by the President at the Medal of Freedom CeremonyBorn 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. 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.Comment:  For more on the subject, see Medicine Crow to Get Medal of Freedom and Medicine Crow Joke on Tonight Show.

Below:  "President Barack Obama reaches around the head dress of Chief Joseph Medicine Crow to place a 2009 Presidential Medal of Freedom around his neck, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2009, during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington." (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)