He didn’t just fight Nazis — he became the last traditional Crow war chief… by stealing 50 of their horses.
In World War II, Joseph Medicine Crow, a 30-year-old Crow warrior, joined the U.S. Army. But he didn’t leave his heritage behind. Beneath his uniform, he wore war paint. Under his helmet, a sacred yellow eagle feather.
The Crow had four ancient requirements to become a war chief: touch an enemy without killing him, disarm an enemy, lead a successful war party, and capture an enemy’s horse.
In Europe, Medicine Crow did them all. He disarmed a German soldier in hand-to-hand combat. He led successful raids. In one fight, he choked a Nazi soldier but let him live.
His boldest act came at night. At a German SS camp, Medicine Crow found about 50 horses. He crept into the camp, released the herd, and led them away — singing a traditional Crow honor song as he rode.
That daring raid fulfilled his final rite. He hadn’t just captured a horse — he’d taken fifty.
After the ...