John Raymond Rice facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Raymond Rice (Walking in Blue Sky)
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Grave at Arlington National Cemetery
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| Born | April 25, 1914 Winnebago, Nebraska, US |
| Died | September 6, 1950 (aged 36) Tabu-Dong, Korea |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ |
United States Marine Corps; United States Army |
| Rank | Sergeant First Class |
| Service number | 17033372 |
| Unit | Company A, 8th Cavalry Regiment, United States Army |
| Battles/wars | Battle of Tabu-Dong |
| Awards | Bronze Star, Purple Heart |
| Known for | Sioux City Memorial Park Cemetery refusing to bury his body because he was Native American |
Sergeant First Class John Raymond Rice (Native American name: Walking in Blue Sky) was a brave soldier from the Ho-Chunk (Winnebago) Nation. He was born on April 25, 1914, and sadly passed away on September 6, 1950. He was a member of the United States Army and was killed while leading his squad during the Korean War.
After his death, a cemetery in Sioux City, Iowa, refused to bury him. This was because he was Native American. This unfair decision caused a big stir across the country. Eventually, President Harry S. Truman stepped in. He ordered that Sergeant Rice be buried with honor at Arlington National Cemetery.
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A Hero's Journey: John Raymond Rice
John Raymond Rice was a proud member of the Ho-Chunk Nation, also known as the Winnebago Indian Tribe. He was born in Winnebago, Nebraska. Before serving in the Korean War, he had already shown his bravery. He fought in the United States Marine Corps during World War II.
Bravery in Battle
During World War II, Sergeant Rice was recognized for his courage. He received the Bronze Star medal for his heroic actions in New Guinea. Later, in the Korean War, he was a leader in Company A, 8th Cavalry Regiment. He was killed while leading his squad during the Battle of Tabu-dong. This battle was a very important and difficult fight for the United Nations forces.
An Unfair Refusal
Sergeant Rice's funeral was held on August 28, 1951, at Memorial Park Cemetery in Sioux City, Iowa. After the military service, cemetery officials found out that Rice was Native American. They stopped the burial. They told his wife, Evelyn, who was not Native American, to take his body away. This was not the first time his wife faced this issue. City-owned cemeteries had also refused to bury him because of his race.
The cemetery officials stated that private cemeteries could choose who they buried. They claimed this was not about prejudice. Instead, they said it was because "people, like animals, prefer to be with their own kind." This statement caused a lot of anger and sadness.
President Truman Steps In
The very next day, August 29, President Harry S. Truman spoke out. He publicly criticized the cemetery and the leaders of Sioux City. He made it clear that such actions were wrong. To honor Sergeant Rice, his wife was given a burial plot at Arlington National Cemetery. This is a very special place where many American heroes are laid to rest. The news and local groups in Sioux City also strongly disagreed with the cemetery's decision.
Sergeant Rice was finally buried with full honors on September 5, 1951. This was almost a year after he gave his life for his country. He was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery. His story reminds us of the importance of fairness and respect for everyone.
