Sgt. TOMMY PRINCE, MM

Sgt. Tommy Prince was one of Canada's most decorated Aboriginal war heroes, serving in World War II and the Korean War.

He was a member of the Royal Canadian Engineers, the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion, and the First Special Service Force formed by combining Canadian and American troops to train at Fort Harrison near Helena Montana forming what became known as the famous "Devil's Brigade." Prince, and the other men of this unit were chosen for their rugged outdoor backgrounds and received the most rigorous training schedule under live fire ever undertaken by an army unit. All members of this elite squad, similar to the American Green Berets starting in the 1960s, were trained to be paratroopers and received intense instruction in stealth tactics, hand-to-hand combat, the use of explosives for demolition, amphibious warfare, rock climbing and mountain fighting, and as ski troops. They have been described as the best small force of fighting men ever assembled. As a member of the Devil's Brigade, Prince was involved in fierce combat duty and numerous dangerous missions in Italy and France.

A number of honors have been bestowed in his name. Some of them are:

• Sgt. Tommy Prince Street - Winnipeg, Manitoba;
• The "Tommy Prince Barracks" at Canadian Forces Base, Petawawa, Ontario;
• The "Tommy Prince Drill Hall" at the Land Force Western Area Training Center in Wainwright, Alberta;
• Government of Canada "Sergeant Tommy Prince Army Training Initiative" for aboriginal recruiting;
• The "Tommy Prince Award" : An Assembly of First Nations scholarship;
• The "Tommy Prince Scholarship" at Sault College, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.
• A school at the Brokenhead Reserve
• A mural on the wall of 1083 Selkirk Avenue in Winnipeg
• Sgt Tommy Prince MM Cadet Corp Winnipeg, Manitoba
• Sgt Tommy Prince MM Veterans' Park, Military Plaza, Winnipeg, Manitoba

It is hoped in the very near future to have this plaque and clock of the Late Sgt Tommy Prince MM hanging in the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa.  Because Tommy is one of Canada's most Decorated Aboriginal soldiers it is only fitting that he take his rightful place of honour in the CWM along with his comrades that he served with during the 2 WW and the Korean War. 

The medals are copies of his originals that are on display at the Winnipeg Man of Nature Museum.  Badges and crests are part of his past military career and are from the different units he served with. 

We thank the CAVUNP Chapters of the LGen RR Crabbe Chapter and the Saskatoon Chapter for their donation of money to assist me in putting this plaque together and the many people that advised and assisted along the way.  I thank my wife Lynne for helping to put the plaque together and for allowing me the free time to complete it.  It is my hope that it will be seen and enjoyed by thousands in the near future.

SGT. TOMMY PRINCE, MM (1915 - 1977)
One of Canada’s most decorated Aboriginal Soldier

Military Medal, 1939/45 Star, Italy Star, France & Germany Star, Defence Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Clasp, 1939/45 War Medal, War Medal Korea 1950/53, Canadian Volunteer Medal Korea, Canadian Peacekeeping Service Medal, United Nations Medal Korea with “2” (2nd Tour Korea), Silver Star (USA).

Top Left to Right—RCE Shoulder Flash and Badge, Devils Brigade Patch, Combat Infantry Badge, Canadian Para Wings, Special Service Collar Disc, Special Service Para Wings, Senior NCO Blazer Crest, PPCLI Shoulder Flash, PPCLI Hat Badge, USA Citation Kapyong Korea 1951, 25 Canadian Infantry Brigade Grp Patch, Commonwealth Patch, and copies of his medals awarded during and after his service

Sergeant Tommy Prince School on the Brokenhead Reserve, Manitoba

This mural is located at  1083 Selkirk Avenue  NW corner Selkirk & Prince; East Face  and is the work of Tiffany Seymour. This picture was taken during a dedication ceremony and includes a Cairn, but is not permanently mounted here. This picture is courtesy of  www.themuralsofwinnipeg.com website and is used with their permission. Check out their site for more info on this and many other murals in Winnipeg.

Note:  In Winnipeg, Prince Street was renamed Sergeant Tommy Prince Street. A mural, as has been mentioned, was commissioned, and it is actually called the Tommy Prince Memorial Wall. It was created by Aboriginal artist Tiffany Seymour, dedicated in September 2002, and is located on the east side of a Manitoba housing complex building at the corner of Sgt. Tommy Prince Street and Selkirk Avenue. This mural was created to honour the memory of Thomas George Prince, better known as Sergeant Tommy Prince, Canada's most decorated Aboriginal war veteran. 

      His friend and fellow war veteran, Donald Mackey, Chairman of the Sergeant Tommy Prince memorial committee said, "Tommy never really received the recognition he deserved. This is why I wanted to do something like this as a tribute to him and to honour his memory and provide a role model for the kids in the area to look up to." I think we should pay tribute at this time as well to Donald Mackey because he has been instrumental in a number of projects, for example, not only the mural but also the bronze plaque which is nearby. It is located at the corner of Selkirk Avenue and Sergeant Tommy Prince Street. 

       In addition, Don Mackey has been involved in efforts to create a park named after Sergeant Tommy Prince, and we hope that this comes to reality very shortly. It is located on land formerly occupied by Flora Place public housing. It will be called Sergeant Tommy Prince Park with funding from the building communities program.

      Also a plaque has been afixed to the building, shown here below

Sgt Tommy Prince as a Sniper shown on the mural of Club 60 ANAF, Garry St, Winnipeg, Manitoba

Sgt Tommy Prince MM Veterans' Park, Military Plaza, Battery and Selkirk Ave, Winnipeg, Manitoba