David Crockett, better known as “Davy,” was born in Greene County, Tennessee. He started school at age 13, but often skipped school. Crockett ran away from home for over two years to avoid punishment for playing “hooky.” In 1813, he became an army scout, and he fought in the Creek Indian War until 1815. Crockett entered politics and served in various local offices including justice of the peace, town commissioner, and colonel of the local militia. From 1821-24, he served in the Tennessee legislature. Crockett won a seat in the U.S. Congress in 1827, and was twice re-elected. In November 1835, Crockett went to Texas, which was then fighting for its independence from Mexico. In early February 1836, he joined about 187 men at the Alamo, an old Roman Catholic mission that had been converted into a military fort. A much larger force of Mexican troops surrounded and then attacked the Alamo. For two weeks the small group of men kept them at bay, but on March 6, 1836, the Mexicans overran the fort. All of the defenders, including Crockett, were killed.