Welcome back to American Heroes. I’m your host, Nathan Weiss.

In the annals of World War II, we often hear about the paratroopers of the 101st or the Marines on Iwo Jima. But today, we’re looking at a soldier who fought a very different kind of war—one that bridged the gap between modern mechanized combat and the ancient traditions of the Great Plains.

This is the story of Joseph Medicine Crow.

In 1943, Joseph Medicine Crow joined the 103rd Infantry Division. He was a scout, a man known for his sharp eyes and steady nerves. But Joseph carried more than just an M1 Garand into the hedgerows of France. Beneath his olive-drab uniform, he wore yellow war paint, and tucked inside his helmet was a sacred eagle feather given to him by a Sun Dance priest.

You see, Joseph wasn't just fighting for Uncle Sam. He was on a quest to beco ...