Thomas (Tommy) George Prince was born in 1915, to Henry and Arabella Prince, of the Brokenhead Band, (formerly St Peter's reserve) in Scanterbury, north of Winnipeg Manitoba. One amongst 11 children born to his parents, Tommy was a descendant of Peguis, the Saulteaux Chief who led his band of 200 Ojibwa from the Sault Ste. Marie region to the Red River in the 1790s, and of Chief William Prince, who headed the Ojibwa-Manitoba team of Nile Voyageurs. Tommy was placed in Residential school at the age of 5.

In the late 1930's, Aboriginals in Canada who went to enlist in the Canadian military, were not only turned down for health reasons, but simply due to race, the color of their skin. Tommy Prince was turned down many times, but in every respect he was well qualified, he'd graduated from grade school (Elkhorn residential school), had been a cadet at the school, and was an excellent marksman. Among his various jobs, he worked as a Lumberjack. Determined, he persisted and continued to apply for Canadian military service, and was finally accepted at the age of 24, in June 1940. He took advantage of every opportunity that came his way in the military, embarking on a remarkable military career in which he excelled.

"When he first went overseas, he met with his Elders..they had a ceremony for him, told him what to watch for, he learned the skills of our Elder's as well, because he believed in the traditional way of life". Lorne Smith, (a longtime friend).

Tommy began his overseas service with the Canadian First Corps Field Park Engineers in a guard duty role, and was promoted to Lance Corporal in 1941. He quickly seized the opportunity for combat when volunteers were required for paratrooper training. Upon returning to Canada two years later in 1942, he was promoted to Sergeant .as part of the Canadian Parachute Battalion, where he commenced training with the 1st Canadian Special Service Battalion.

In addition to Tom Prince, many Aboriginal servicemen received promotion to non-commissioned ranks because of their demonstrated abilities. In sharp contrast to their previous lives, many Aboriginal servicemen taught and led other men during the war years.

Prince was described as one whose "bearing was so impressive that other men forgot his color and responded willingly to his leadership." Prince’s quick thinking, initiative and bravery were also qualities that could not be taught. He was motivated by a very personal goal:
"All my life I had wanted to do something to help my people recover their good name.
I wanted to show they were as good as any white man."

"I had a lot of respect for Tom, because, for what he did for our country, I believe that he fought for this land, of ours as well. He had a vision for our people, he wanted that vision to carry on to the younger generation". Lorne Smith

His value to the military was enhanced by the extensive training he'd received. He'd already drawn attention for his excellent marksmanship skills , his tracking abilities, acquired while hunting on his reserve in Manitoba, and his expertise in crossing open country.

Originally, this force was intended to be a parachute unit that would land behind enemy lines and sabotage their installations. Instead, it became a versatile assault group with a reputation for specialized reconnaissance.

"Tom was was ideal for this type of a unit, he was brave, he was intelligent. In his early days as a young man, he was out living off the land, getting there own game, learning how to track, and how to walk right, without making a noise, so all those attributes came in very handy in this type of a unit", Al Lennox (Platoon Sergeant in WWII).

The American, Canadian combined unit was officially designated, the 1st Special Service Force
(1st SSF), the enemy would know them as the "Devil's Brigade". A fictional title adopted by Hollywood film makers in 1968, of accounts based on the exploits of the 1st SSF during the war.

Training began for both American and elite Canadian troops, at Camp William Henry Harrison, near Helena, Montana in the summer of 1942, continuing through the bitter winter of 1942-43.
(The highway linking Lethbridge, Alberta with Helena, Montana, has been named the "1st Special Service Force Memorial highway". In honour of the Canadian troops that travelled south over the route in 1942).

"Our boys from Canada were all specially chosen, outdoor types, and the Americans were similar, they were Lumberjacks, Texas Cowboys, we just forgot who was who, or what was what.. but it all came together very nicely, and we formed a great fighting team".
Lt. Col. Thomas P. Gilday (1st Special Service Force)

In April 1943, the 1st Special Service Force left Montana to undergo amphibious training in Virginia in preparation for an attack on a Japanese held island in the Aleution chain (Alaska), which would be their first overseas assignment. July 1943, the 1st SSF set sail with 40,000 other troops for the invasion of Kiska, the largest amphibious assault of the war up to that point. The unit did not engage in combat, though the experience was essential for training.

By November 1943, the 1st Special Service Force sailed for Europe, and played a crucial role at the allied landing at Anzio. Tom Prince would make his name here, when practically single handedly he directed an ambush of a German encampment.

"I first met Tommy Prince near Cassino, in Italy. He went ahead to scout a route that avoided enemy patrols and mines, then quickly returned with the information of an enemy placement. I immediately adopted him for my battalion headquarters and decided he was my man. He knew that he had the superior ability to find his way around.. to know where other people were, and they'd never know where he was", Lt. Col. Thomas P. Gilday.

The ensuing battle engagements in Italy were extremely hard won, with heavy losses to the unit. This elite group of soldiers gained a great deal of respect among seasoned allied soldiers in Europe, where heroism in battle was now commonplace. For ninety-eight days,100,000 allies withstood heavy artillery.

"We held up 20 German divisions, which was a lot of troops but they were always backing up to the north, they were always on top of a mountain with a river between you and them. So you had to cross the river and climb a mountain in the mud and snow, our boys had a really hectic time there, it was very hard fighting for everybody", Lt. Col. Thomas P. Gilday.

In Early February, 1944 the 1st SSF continued to engage the enemy in Italy. During a Reconnaisance patrol, Tommy Prince was to penetrate deep into enemy positions.

"Tommy went out as usual, but never returned all day, I worried about him.. wondered if he'd been captured, wounded..or what had happened to him. about a half hour after dark, Tommy turned up and told me he was at the German lines in a farmhouse", Lt. Col. Thomas P. Gilday.

While at the abandoned farmhouse, enemy soldiers approached, he hid in attic until dark, when it was safe to leave, returned to his unit. For several days, the farmhouse some 200 metres from the Germans served as his observation post, and 1,400 metres of telephone wire connected him to the force. He had a clear view of the enemy's artillery emplacements and would report them. For three days Prince reported the activity in the German encampment. Prince's communication line was severed by shelling. Tommy donned civilian clothing, utilized a hoe and, in full view of German soldiers, mimicked a local farmer weeding his crops. He slowly inched his way along the line until pinpointing the damaged section. While appearing to to tie his shoelaces, he repaired the connection. His reporting resumed, more damage to enemy artillery posts resulted. In total, four German tanks, which until then had been directing fire at the allied troops, were destroyed by the 1st Special Service Force. Prince demonstrated exceptional patience, keen observation skills and nerves of steel. In the months to follow, the 1st SSF would be the first allies to enter Rome.

In the summer of 1944, the 1st Special Service Force entered Southern France. On September 1, Sergeant Prince along with a private, were engaged in a reconnaissance patrol deep behind German lines near L'Escarene. Prince located the gun sites and encampment area of an enemy reserve battalion. With skill, intiative and incredible endurance, Prince walked 70 kilometres across the rugged, mountainous terrain and endured 72 hours without food or water. He reported back with the information, and led the brigade to the encampment, resulting in locating and capturing over a thousand German soldiers.

For these acts, he earned for the Silver Star, an American army decoration for gallantry in action.

After the battles in southern France subsided, Tommy Prince was decorated by King George VI at Buckingham Palace, with both the Military Medal and on behalf of President Roosevelt, the Silver Star with ribbon. Prince was one of 59 Canadians who were awarded the Silver Star during the Second World War. Only three Canadians of this group also possessed the Military Medal.

His desire was that his achievements reflect glory upon his people, and he never failed to remind fellow soldiers that he was an Indian. He talked about his home reserve with King George VI, during the award ceremony at Buckingham Palace. Joining him, was his brother Morris, also an Aboriginal soldier in WWII. This was a high point in Tom Prince's life.

In December 1944, the 1st Special Service Force were decommissioned, the Canadians left for England or Canada, the American soldiers were assigned to other battalions.
The war in Europe ended while Prince was back in England. He returned to Canada, proud to return to his home with his military honours.
Two important goals that drove Tom Prince throughout the war years, and afterward, were to help his people regain pride in themselves and to gain the respect of all Canadians. Not content with battlefield equality, he strived to be more than equal, but not only for himself.

Tommy Prince on his fellow veterans:

"They were a great bunch of guys.
I'm here because they kept me safe and brought me home."

---

Tommy Prince - His Service Record, Medals and Decorations

WWII

Medals & Decorations

Military Medal, 1939 - 1945 Star, Italy Star, France & Germany Star,
Defense Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Clasp,
U.S. Silver Star with ribbon.

Length of Service:

June 3, 1940 - August 20, 1945

Ranks:

Sapper - June 3, 1940
Sergeant - August 14, 1940
Lance Corporal - February 22, 1941
Sergeant - March 16, 1943

Units & Regiments:

1st Corps Field Park Company, Royal Canadian Engineers
1st Canadian Parachute Battalion
1st Canadian Special Service Battalion
1st Special Service Force (Combined Canadian, American unit)

Theatre of Service:

Canada, Great Britain, United States of America, Aleutian Islands,
Central Mediterranean Area, Southern France, Germany.

---

Tommy Prince: biography and tribute, part II

__Between the Wars__
__Korea and the pain of War__
__Prince's Korean service record, medals and decorations__
__Tommy Prince in post-war Canada__
__Epilogue: Aboriginal veteran's legacy lives on__
__Aboriginal Veterans Scholarship Trust__
__References__
__Further reading: literature, video__
__Student / Educator resources__
__Contact information__

---

Epilogue: Aboriginal veteran's legacy lives on

excerpt:
..The National Indian Brotherhood (now the Assembly of First Nations) recognized his efforts, as well as those of Walter Deiter and Omer Peters, among others, paying tribute to these veterans through the establishment of the Heroes of Our Time Native Scholarship series. The Assembly of First Nations administers this important fund today, linking Indian veteran political leaders with the present generation.

Aboriginal Veterans fought and lost their lives in three wars and various military actions on behalf of Canada. Many were decorated as heroes, but upon their return home, they were unable to obtain the same benefits which other Veterans enjoyed. Further, these Veterans had to extinguish their aboriginal rights, preventing them from returning to their own communities to live.

Continuing the efforts, Senator Leonard Marchand brought this grave injustice to the attention of The Hon. Ronald A. Irwin, former Minister of INAC. Working with The Hon. Anne McLellan, former Minister of Natural Resources and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, and Aboriginal Veterans groups, the federal Government has established the
Aboriginal Veterans Scholarship Trust with a contribution of $1.15 million..

Senator Leonard Marchand receives, recognition for contribution to the Aboriginal community
at the 5th Annual (2001) ANTCO/ANDEVCO Business and Community Service Awards.

---

References

Small, Doris. Sgt Tommy Prince
http://www.mala.bc.ca/~soules/media112/zine2000/small/princem.htm

Whitlock, Flint. An American perspective--a history of the 1st Special Service Force
http://www.thehistorynet.com/WorldWarII/articles/2000/0100_cover.htm

(The) Final Report of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples (RCAP)

Vol1 Ch12 s1 to s3
Vol1 Ch12 s4 to s4.4
Vol1 Ch12 s4.5 to s6

Gaffen Fred, Forgotten Soldiers

Milloy, John,
Cross Cultural Relations and Criminal Justice in Manitoba 1670-1949

(Winnipeg: Aboriginal Justice Inquiry of Manitoba, 1990)

Minister of Supply and Services Canada 1993
Cat. No. V32-56/1993E ISBN 0-662-19850-6

Porter Mackenzie, "Warrior: Tommy Prince",
Maclean’s 65/17 (September 1952).

---

Further reading: literature, video

Adleman, Robert & Walton, George
The Devil's Brigade

Burhans, Robert D.
The First Special Service Force : a war history of the North Americans, 1942-1944

Sealey, D. Bruce,Van de Vyvere, Peter
Thomas George Prince

Williams, Jeffery
Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry

Fallen Hero: The Tommy Prince Story, 1999
  http://www.filmwest.com/subjects/canadian.htm
Filmwest Associates Distribution Ltd.

Tommy Prince's medals are authenticated and returned to family

---

Student / Educator resources

BC First Nations Studies 12
Curriculum: Leadership and Self-Determination II
http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/irp/bcfns12/lasd1.htm

excerpts:
Prescribed learning outcomes, It is expected that students will:

* describe the experiences of Aboriginal veterans during
and after the two World Wars and the Korean War

* describe the roles, responsibilities, and achievements of current Aboriginal groups
and leaders, locally, provincially, and nationally

suggested instructional strategies:

* Invite a guest speaker who has knowledge of Aboriginal veterans issues
to explain and answer questions.

* Following a discussion of Aboriginal veterans issues, have students
compose a class letter or e-mail to an MP on the subject.

BC First Nations Studies 12 - Recommended video ...
* Fallen Hero: The Tommy Prince Story
http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/irp/bcfns12/bcfnsapb.htm

General Description:  This 44-minute documentary presents the story of Tommy Prince, decorated World War II and Korean War hero. It focuses on his life and his lasting legacy, tracing his story from the poverty of the reserve through war hero, to the tragedy of his post-military experience.

Producers summary:

Tommy Prince was a man of incredible drive and ambition, with the keenest instincts, the sharpest eye and strong leadership qualities. His name is well known across Canada,
both for his unprecedented accomplishments and as a metaphor for the hypocrisy and prejudices of Canadian society.
Many stories have explored Tommy's past, but this documentary focuses on his life and his lasting legacy. His story, from the poverty of his isolated reserve, through becoming a war hero, twice over, to the minefield of being an Indian in Canada is a journey of epic proportions.

Caution: This video depicts sensitive social issues, including alcohol abuse and family dysfuntion. Teachers will wish to develop appropriate pre- and post-viewing discussion and activities to set the context of these sensitive issues.

Filmwest Associates Distribution Ltd.
http://www.filmwest.com/subjects/canadian.htm
http://www.bclc.bc.ca/TitleF.htm (purchasing info)

--- Dr. Susan Neylan : History of the Native Peoples of Canada
http://www.interchange.ubc.ca/sneylan/hist302.htm

Dr. Susan Neylan : Aboriginal Veterans: Lest We Forget
http://www.interchange.ubc.ca/sneylan/vet.htm

---

| Contact information |

http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/aboriginal/prince1.htm

©copyright 2001 Vancouver Cartography Net

site index