• Source: Minnie Spotted-Wolf

Minnie Spotted-Wolf (1923–1987) was one of the first Native American women to enlist in the United States Marine Corps.




Biography


Minnie Spotted-Wolf enlisted in the Marine Corps Women's Reserve in July 1943.
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. Known for her skill for breaking horses, she described Marine boot camp as: "hard but not too hard."
She served on military bases in California and Hawaii. She worked as a heavy equipment operator and a driver for general officers.
Press coverage of her wartime service included headlines like Minnie, Pride of the Marines, Is Bronc-Busting Indian Queen.
She was discharged in 1947.
After her military service, she returned to Montana, married Robert England, earned a degree in Elementary Education, and spent 29 years as a teacher.
According to her daughter, "she could outride guys into her early 50s."




Tribute


In 2019, a section of US Highway 89 in Pondera County, MT was dedicated as "Minnie Spotted-Wolf Memorial Highway”.




See also


United States Marine Corps Women's Reserve




References






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.

Kata Kunci Pencarian:

• Minnie Spotted-Wolf
• Wolf (name)
• List of historic United States Marines
• Heart Butte, Montana
• Colleen Joy Shogan
• American women in World War II
• List of Native American firsts
• United States Marine Corps Women's Reserve
• List of Native American women of the United States
• Pretty Nose