Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
July 30, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
A quiet encyclopedia with a personal desk
Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
People File • Military

Tommy Prince

Tommy Prince (Thomas George Prince) was an Indigenous Canadian soldier and First Nations rights advocate from Manitoba.

Updated July 30, 20261 min readCited sources

Tommy Prince was an Indigenous Canadian soldier and First Nations rights advocate from Manitoba. He became Canada’s most-decorated Indigenous war veteran, with 11 medals for service in World War II and Korea.

What it is

Tommy Prince was a member of the Brokenhead Ojibway Nation who enlisted in 1940 and served in elite units like the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion and the First Special Service Force during World War II. He later served in Korea with Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry.

Why it matters

Prince is recognized as Canada’s most-decorated Indigenous war veteran, receiving 11 medals including the Military Medal and U.S. Silver Star. In 2019, he was designated a National Historic Person of Canada, highlighting his contributions to military history and Indigenous advocacy.

Key details

After the war, Prince became an outspoken advocate for First Nations rights, criticizing the Indian Act and calling for respect of treaties. He died in Winnipeg in 1977, but his legacy continues in both military history and Indigenous activism.

In short

  • Canada’s most-decorated Indigenous war veteran with 11 medals.
  • Served in elite WWII units and later in Korea.
  • Awarded Military Medal and U.S. Silver Star for bravery.
  • Post-war advocate for First Nations rights and treaty recognition.
Canadian angle

Tommy Prince is an important figure in Canadian military history and in the history of Indigenous activism in Canada. His life is especially relevant to Manitoba and to First Nations readers because he was a Manitoba-born Brokenhead Ojibway Nation veteran and advocate.

Quick questions

Who was Tommy Prince?
Tommy Prince was an Indigenous Canadian soldier and First Nations rights advocate from Manitoba, and Canada’s most-decorated Indigenous war veteran.
What units did Tommy Prince serve with?
He served with the Royal Canadian Engineers, 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion, First Special Service Force, and Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry.
Did Tommy Prince advocate for Indigenous rights?
Yes. After the war, he publicly advocated for treaty rights, First Nations equality, and changes to federal Indian policy.

Sources

  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Tommy-Prince
    Supports: Birth and death details; Brokenhead Ojibway Nation; 11 medals; status as a decorated Indigenous war veteran.
  2. Veterans Affairs Canada — https://www.veterans.gc.ca/en/remembrance/people-and-stories/tommy-prince
    Supports: Canada’s most-decorated Indigenous war veteran; 11 medals; service in elite units; Military Medal and U.S. Silver Star; Korean War medals.
  3. Parks Canada — https://parks.canada.ca/culture/designation/personnage-person/tommy-prince
    Supports: National Historic Person designation; military service; Indigenous rights advocacy; role in First Nations interests in Manitoba.
  4. Government of Manitoba — https://www.gov.mb.ca/chc/hrb/plaques/plaq0958.html
    Supports: Born in Petersfield; enlistment; military units; medals; Korean War service; postwar advocacy.
  5. Manitoba Historical Society — https://www.mhs.mb.ca/docs/people/prince_t.shtml
    Supports: Biography, military service, postwar advocacy, death, and burial details.