Norman Janis (1919 - 1997)

KYLE (S.D.)— Norman Janis, 78, Kyle, died Saturday, June 21, 1997, at his residence.

Survivors include one son, Curtis Janis, Mesa, Ariz.; one stepson, Theodore Tyon, Portland, Ore.; seven daughters, Margaret Rainbow, Lake Andes, Fran Turner, Kirkland, Wash., Feris Janis, Kyle, Pearl Dull Knife, Wanbli, Norma Janis Grignon, Spearfish, Bonita Janis Olney, White Swan, Wash., and Debra Janis Harris, Salem, Ore.; four brothers, Chester Janis, Martin, David Janis, Kyle, Frank Standing High, Spearfish, and Kenneth Scabby Robe Sr., White Swan; two sisters, Jane Rouillard, Kyle, and Christine Crow Dog Red Bear, Roslyn.

One night wake began Tuesday at his residence in Kyle. Lakota reli-gious ceremony will be at 6 a.m. to-day at his residence.

Burial will follow at the Janis family plot west of Kyle. Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge is in charge of arrangements.

He is buried at Saint Stephens Catholic Cemetery, Kyle, South Dakota - findagrave

He was inducted into the Ranger Hall of Frame in 1996:
"PRIVATE FIRST CLASS NORMAN JANIS Private First Class Norman Janis is inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame for his extraordinary feats of courage and actions as a member of Merrill's Marauders during World War II. Assigned to the 3d Battalion, I and R Platoon, Private First Class Janis participated on patrol deep into the jungle clad spurs of the Himalayan Mountains in deep enemy infested Burma. Early in the Far Eastern Japanese campaign, Private Janis won the admiration and respect of all members of the platoon for his expertise as a scout and platoon sharpshooter. Private Janis demonstrated his sharpshooting skills by detecting enemy snipers. An example of this skill was demonstrated when the platoon was fighting from Hsam-Shingyang to Nhpum to relieve the 2d Battalion. The I and R platoon leader and combat team commander were standing in a small clearing studying a map when an enemy sniper, located in a tree, fired a single shot. Private Janis observed a slight movement in the vines not obvious to anyone and at a range of about 300 yards dropped the sniper in one shot. Later examination proved it to be a heart shot. Private Janis was awarded the Sioux Tribal Red Feather, equivalent of a Medal of Honor. This is the highest award bestowed by the Sioux Nation for exceptional valor in combat. In his unassuming, quiet manner Private Janis preferred to work alone and identified himself as a ferocious Ranger. Norman Janis is the Tribal Chief of the Sioux and lives on the Sioux Tribe Reservation in South Dakota."

Mr. Janis lived in Ola in the late '60's, where he rode for the Cattlemen's Association. He was a talented pencil sketch artist.


Research courtesy of Laura McDougal Trairatnobhas and David Humphreys. Thanks for sharing!



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