The use of the name while jumping out of a plane or a charge came from his exploits like rushing a group of men armed with guns while only carrying a knife and winning.
The next 2 paragraphs are not my writing but from the linked web site.
Geronimo was the leader of the last American Indian fighting force formally to capitulate to the United States. Because he fought against such daunting odds and held out the longest, he became the most famous Apache of all. To the pioneers and settlers of Arizona and New Mexico, he was a bloody-handed murderer and this image endured until the second half of this century.
To the Apaches, Geronimo embodied the very essence of the Apache values, aggressiveness, courage in the face of difficulty. These qualities inspired fear in the settlers of Arizona and New Mexico. The Chiricahuas were mostly migratory following the seasons, hunting and farming. When food was scarce, it was the custom to raid neighboring tribes. Raids and vengeance were an honorable way of life among the tribes of this region.
http://www.indians.org/welker/geronimo.htm
He surrendered hoping to return to his homeland he spent time in a Florida prison and in Oklahoma but never was able to return to his homeland .
But what is not written about by many narratives is his war for freedom and vengeance started with Mexico . His Mother, wife and 3 children were killed by Mexican troops . This transformed a trader into a warrior over night.
Villain or Hero its your decision.
This is a composite drawing of him. the headdress is from one old photo of him but younger and his likeness from another when he was old. The expression I really liked but he was wearing a bolder hat and suit just didn't suit me for this.
This is graphite and charcoal on 11X15 Stonehenge paper 100% cotton the color is kraft.
