TOP CHARACTER STRENGTHS

BRAVERY - HOPE - LEADERSHIP

Melvin James Little Bear was born to John Little Bear and Agnes Little Bear (Fire Cloud) on February 23, 1930.

John Little Bear came from Canada, met Agnes Fire Cloud in Little Eagle SD. They made their home just north west of the community. Together they had nine children, Zelda Little Bear, Eva (Spotted Horse), Ramona (Has Horns), Florence (Farrell), Marie (Red Fox), Lydia (Weasel), Elias Little Bear, Whitney Little Bear and Melvin Little Bear.

Melvin enlisted in the US Army at age of 17 years old. John and Agnes signed for him to enlist.

PFC Little Bear entered the U.S. Army from South Dakota and served with Battery A, 15th Field Artillery Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division. PFC Little Bear was taken Prisoner of War while fighting the enemy near Hoengsong, South Korea on February 13, 1951 and died while a prisoner on July 21, 1951. His remains were recovered July 13, 2022 and brought back home to rest at Standing Rock Reservation.

Little Bear was awarded the Prisoner of War Medal, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.

 Melvin's life and legacy was honored during the 2023 Spartan Leadership Program.