Though he finished last in his class at West Point, George Armstrong Custer distinguished himself as an aggressive and fearless fighter. Not only did he win the respect of his commanding generals during the Civil War, afterwards he became a national hero, known for fighting Indians. It was at the Battle of the Little Bighorn, however, that his troops experienced crushing defeat when they were overpowered and killed by thousands of attacking Indians. The battle cost Custer his life, but his fame and legend grew thanks to the efforts of his wife.