Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester and Congressman Greg Gianforte’s legislation to designate three Department of Veterans Affairs facilities passed the House of Representatives and will now head to the President’s desk to be signed into law. This legislation recognizes the commitment to duty and personal courage of three Montanans by naming VA facilities in Missoula and Billings in their honor.

The Community Based Outpatient Clinic in Missoula will be designated in honor of David J. Thatcher, the Community Based Outpatient Clinic in Billings will be designated in honor of Dr. Joseph Medicine Crow and the Community Based Specialty Clinic located in Billings will be designated in honor of Benjamin Charles Steele.

“David Thatcher, Dr. Joseph Medicine Crow and Benjamin Steele sacrificed for our safety and freedom,” said Daines. “Now these three American heroes’ legacies will be remembered by Montanans for generations to come. I am thankful for Congressman Gianforte’s leadership in the House and his work to help get this bill across the finish line.”

 

“With our bill, generations of Montana veterans to come will remember the memories of Ben Steele, Dr. Joe Medicine Crow, and David Thatcher,” said Tester, Ranking Member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee. “Each of these Montanans served our nation bravely, and after their military service, were fierce advocates for veterans. It’s humbling to recognize their selfless service by naming these facilities in their honor.”

 

“Ben Steele, David Thatcher, and Dr. Joseph Medicine Crow selflessly served our nation and made tremendous sacrifices to preserve our freedoms, liberties, and way of life,” Gianforte said. “It’s an honor to recognize these heroes and know that more Montanans will come to know their names, their courageous stories, and their dedication to our country.”

 

Missoula: The Community Based Outpatient Clinic on Palmer Street will be designated in honor of David J. Thatcher.  Mr. Thatcher was an outstanding Montanan.  The humble circumstances of his upbringing in rural, eastern Montana helped him develop a strong work ethic and in 1940, with war raging across Europe, and the clouds of war on the horizon for the United States, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps.  Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, he volunteered to serve as a tail gunner for a high-risk mission to attack targets deep within Japanese controlled territory.

Billings: The Community Based Outpatient Clinic on Spring Creek Lane will be designated in honor Dr. Joseph Medicine Crow. Dr. Medicine Crow was an accomplished warrior and esteemed historian.  He was born on the Crow Indian Reservation in eastern Montana and traveled across the U.S. while pursuing his education.  In 1939, Dr. Medicine Crow earned his master’s degree from the University of Southern California, becoming the first member of the Crow Tribe to attain that credential.  In 1943 he joined the United States Army.  While serving as an Army scout during World War II, Dr. Medicine Crow fulfilled the four requirements to become a war chief.  While fighting against the German forces he led a war party, stole an enemy horse, disarmed an enemy and touched an enemy without killing him.

Billings: The Community Based Specialty Clinic located on Majestic Lane will be designated in honor of Benjamin Charles Steele.  Mr. Steele is remembered by Montanans as a ranch hand, teacher, artist and Bataan Death March survivor. Born and raised in Montana, he joined the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1940. After he was captured by the Japanese, Mr. Steele’s sturdy fortitude helped him endure a 66 mile trek in the Philippines, a prisoner ship and a forced labor camp.  He was a prisoner of war in the Pacific Theater of World War II for a total 1,244 days.

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