Nantaje was one of 10 Apache “Indian Scouts” who helped the Army during the winter campaign of 1872-73 by guiding a large detachment of Soldiers against a band of renegade Apaches. At the height of the battle, Nantaje rescued a small boy who found himself caught in the crossfire. In 1875, he and the nine other Scouts received the Medal of Honor for their conduct during the campaign.