Spotted Wolf's Last Request

 

Title: Spotted Wolf's Last Request

Artist: Woody Crumbo

Medium: Oil

This is one of Woody Crumbo's most famous paintings.

He was inspired to commemorate the American Indians who participated in the U.S. Armed Services. For his subject, he used the request of PFC Clarence Spotted Wolf, a Sioux Indian, who wanted to be honored with a parade by his people should he be killed in action during World War II. Shortly after he made his request, Spotted Wolf died defending his country. Crumbo's tribute, a documentary about Indian loyalty for their national soil, was completed in the mid-1950's.

While working on a film documenting Spotted Wolf's last request Crumbo stated, "What interested me most, was the realization that Indians have contributed to every war that the United States has fought on foreign soil." Crumbo went on: "Statistics show that our race has had a higher percentage of volunteers than any other yet I have never seen a painting dedicated to Indian participation in American conflicts."