Francis Pegahmagabow

Francis Pegahmagabow MM amp Two bars was the First Nations soldier most highly decorated for bravery in Canadian military history and the most effective sniper of World War I. Three times awarded the Military Medal and seriously wounded, he was an expert marksman and scout, credited with killing 378 Germans and capturing 300 more. Later in life, he served as chief and a councilor for the Wasauksing First Nation, and as an activist and leader in several First Nations organizations. He corresponded with and met other noted aboriginal figures including Fred Loft, Jules Sioui, Andrew Paull and John Tootoosis.

Francis Pegahmagabow was born on what is now the First Nation reserve. His father was a man of the First Nation and his mother of the First Nation, located further up Bays north shore. An Ojibwa he grew up at the Wasauksing First Nation Band, on Parry Island located near Parry Sound, Ontario. He was orphaned at an early age and was raised by the First Nation community. Prior to the war, Pegahmagabow worked as a fireman for the Department on the Lakes. In February, 1915, he was deployed overseas with the 1st Canadian Infantry Battalion of the 1st Canadian Divisionthe first contingent of Canadian troops sent to flight in Europe.

Source: Wikipedia