Minnie Spotted-Wolf
Minnie Spotted-Wolf (1923–1988) was the first Native American woman to enlist in the United States Marine Corps.[1]
Minnie Spotted-Wolf | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 1923 Heart Butte, Montana |
| Died | 1988 (aged 64–65) |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ | United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1943-1945 |
| Rank | Private |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Alma mater | BS, Elementary Education, 1976 |
| Other work | Teacher |
Biography
Minnie Spotted-Wolf enlisted in the Marine Corps Women's Reserve in July 1943.[2]
Spotted-Wolf, from Heart Butte, Montana, was a member of the Blackfoot tribe. Prior to joining the Marines, she had worked on her father's ranch doing such chores as cutting fence posts, driving a two-ton truck, and breaking horses.[3] Known for her skill for breaking horses, she described Marine boot camp as: "hard but not too hard."[4]
She served on military bases in California and Hawaii. She worked as a heavy equipment operator and a driver for general officers.[3]
Press coverage of her wartime service included headlines like Minnie, Pride of the Marines, Is Bronc-Busting Indian Queen.[5]
She was discharged in 1947.[1]
After her military service, she earned a degree in Elementary Education, and spent 29 years as a teacher.[3]
According to her daughter, "she could outride guys into her early 50s."[5]
Tribute
In 2019, a section of US Highway 89 was dedicated as "Minnie Spotted-Wolf Memorial Highway.[1]
References
- ""Minnie Spotted-Wolf Memorial Highway" dedicated". 10 August 2019.
- "History of the Women Marines". Women Marines Association. Archived from the original on 2006-06-16. Retrieved 2006-08-10.
- White, Cody (25 July 2013). "Minnie Spotted Wolf and the Marine Corps". Prologue: Pieces of History. National Archives.
- "WWII – First USMC Native American Minnie Spotted Wolf" Archived 2017-08-12 at the Wayback Machine. Armed Forces History Museum. 29 July 2013.
- Montana Historical Society (26 August 2014). ""You Have to Take What They Send You Now Days": Montana Women's Service in World War II". Women's History Matters. Montana Historical Society
Sources
- "Circle of Honor". Native American Women with Military Service. Archived from the original on 2016-10-15. Retrieved 2016-10-18.
- Simpson, Peggy (May 26, 2003). "Native American Veterans Honored Today". Women's eNews. Retrieved 2006-10-08.
- Rae, Callum (29 December 2015). "Minnie Spotted Wolf". The Female Soldier.
- Holm, Tom (2007). Code Talkers and Warriors: Native Americans and World War II. New York: Chelsea House. pp. 34–35. ISBN 978-0-79-109340-5. OCLC 77270989.
Further reading
- "DoDLive Presents: Profiles in Heritage. National Native American Heritage Month: Minnie Spotted Wolf". United States Department of Defense (Video). 30 November 2011.
External links
- Photograph of Three Marine Corps Women Reservists, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina at the National Archives and Records Administration, Record Group 208:Records of the Office of War Information, 1926 - 1951. Feature Story Photographs, 1942 - ca. 1945. 16 October 1943.