American Legion officials and Charles Reno have been invited, in recognition of the Legion's successful effort to correct the military record of Major Marcus A. Reno, to attend the ceremonies being held June 23, 24 and 25 at Crow Indian Agency, Mont.
The ceremonies include re-enactments of Custer's Last Stand.
Robert L. Bennett, Commissioner of Indian Affairs in the Department of the Interior, said today he extended the invitations at the suggestion of officials of the Crow Tribe to:
John E. Davis, National Commander of The American Legion;
Andrew D. Eggenberger, Montana State Commander, The American Legion, Harlowton, Mont.; and,
Charles Reno, 34-70 78th Street, Jackson Heights, N. Y., grandnephew of Major Reno.
Tribal officials suggested to Bennett that he extend the invitations on behalf of the entire tribe.
John J. Corcoran, director of the Legion's National Rehabilitation Division, announced on May 31 that the Army Board for Correction of Military Records had ruled that Major Reno, who fought with General Custer in the Battle of Little Big Horn, deserved an honorable discharge instead of the dishonorable discharge he was given in 1880.
Major Reno had been cited for gallantry and had an outstanding record in the Civil War and afterwards, but accusations of cowardice in the Battle of Little Big Horn made him a notorious and controversial figure, even though a military board of inquiry ruled he was blameless.
