Years of service 1943-1945 Rank Private Battles and wars World War II | Name Minnie Spotted-Wolf Battles/wars World War II | |
 | ||
Died 1988, Montana, United States Service/branch United States Marine Corps | ||
Allegiance United States of America | ||
Contestant Deeann Lee talks about Minnie Spotted Wolf during the contemporary talent competition at
Private Minnie Spotted-Wolf (1923–1988) was the first Native American woman to enlist in the United States Marine Corps.
Contents
- Contestant Deeann Lee talks about Minnie Spotted Wolf during the contemporary talent competition at
- Biography
- References
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 was a heavy equipment operator, and as a driver for general officers.
Press coverage of her wartime service included headlines like Minnie, Pride of the Marines, Is Bronc-Busting Indian Queen. According to her daughter, "she could outride guys into her early 50s."
After her military service, she earned a degree in Elementary Education, and spent 29 years as a teacher.