Native American Memorial

​​Located near the village of Recogne, stands a memorial to honour the Native American soldiers who lost their lives in Belgium during the fighting throughout 1944 and 1945. It was inaugurated for the 50th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge.

​The sombre Native American memorial is made up of two large boulders. On one of these, a carving of a Native American face with traditional headdress is positioned above a commemorative plaque dedicated to the memory of all those who fell for the liberation of Belgium.

​A number of the Native American soldiers involved in the fighting around Bastogne were from the Oglala Lakota tribes.

​Some were decorated for their courage and bravery. One of these was Private First Class McManus Broncho, of the U.S. 80th Infantry Division. He was part of Lieutenant-General George Patton's troops who helped break the encirclement of the city.

​Medically combat trained, McManus was tasked with caring for the wounded before their transfer to hospital. During the fighting, the commander of his platoon was seriously wounded. McManus crawled towards him to lend him assistance. He also saved another soldier during this episode.

​He received the Bronze Star for these brave actions.

​Other men and women of Native American origin were rewarded for their actions, particularly for their attendance to the wounded during the conflict.​