Minnie Spotted-Wolf facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Minnie Spotted-Wolf
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| 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 |
Minnie Spotted-Wolf (1923–1988) was the first Native American woman 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 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 was dedicated as "Minnie Spotted-Wolf Memorial Highway.
See also
- United States Marine Corps Women's Reserve
