Leaford Bearskin

Updated on Oct 09, 2024

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Allegiance United States Died November 9, 2012 Name Leaford Bearskin		Rank Lieutenant Colonel Years of service 1939–1960

Battles/wars World War IIBerlin AirliftKorean War Awards Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal Battles and wars World War II, Berlin Blockade, Korean War Unit 90th Operations Group, Strategic Air Command, 15th Expeditionary Mobility Task Force
Service/branch United States Air Force

MemorialDay2013

Leaford Bearskin (September 11, 1921 – November 9, 2012) was a Native American tribal leader and US Air Force officer. He was Chief of the Wyandotte Nation from 1983 to 2011.

Leaford Bearskin Leaford Bearskin Wyandotte Nation

Memorial Day 2013

Military service

During the Second World War, Captain Bearskin was the commander of a B-24 Liberator bomber, operating in the Pacific. In 1948 he assisted in the Berlin Airlift as a squadron commander. During the Korean War he again served as a squadron commander. In 1960 Bearskin retired from the service with the rank of lieutenant colonel. Amongst his many honors and citations were the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Medal for Humane Action.