Ed McGaa (Eagle Man) was born on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota and is a registered tribal member of the Oglala Sioux. He earned a law degree from the University of South Dakota, studied under Chief Eagle Feather and Chief Fool’s Crow, both influential Sioux holy men, and is honored by the Sioux for having participated six times in the Sun Dance ceremony. He also served as a fighter pilot in the US Marine Corps in Vietnam, receiving eight air medals and two Crosses of Gallantry.