🚨BREAKING: Sec. of War Pete Hegseth Rules Wounded Knee Soldiers WILL Keep Their Medals of Honor
In a significant announcement, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth declared that the 20 soldiers awarded the Medal of Honor for their actions during the Battle of Wounded Knee in 1890 will retain their medals. This decision, made public in a video on social media, comes after a review panel recommended that these soldiers, who played a role in a controversial chapter of American history, should keep their honors.
The review of the medals was initiated by Hegseth’s predecessor, Lloyd Austin, following a Congressional recommendation included in the 2022 defense bill. This recommendation arose amid growing calls from some lawmakers to rescind the medals awarded to soldiers involved in the Wounded Knee massacre, where an estimated 250 Native Americans, including women and children from the Lakota Sioux tribe, were killed by the U.S. Army.
Hegseth criticized Austin’s inaction on the matter, suggesting that political correctness had overshadowed historical accuracy. “Under my direction, we’re making it clear without hesitation that the soldiers who fought in the Battle of Wounded Knee in 1890 will keep their medals,” he stated. He emphasized that the soldiers’ contributions and their place in American history are no longer open for debate.
The events at Wounded Knee are often described as a battle; however, historical accounts indicate that the U.S. Army was engaged in a campaign to suppress Native American tribes in the area. The massacre occurred when soldiers attempted to disarm Native American fighters who had already surrendered, resulting in a tragic loss of life.
The 20 soldiers from the 7th Cavalry Regiment received Medals of Honor for their actions during this conflict, which cited bravery and efforts to rescue fellow troops. Their actions have since become a celebrated part of the regiment’s history, with the regiment’s coat of arms featuring the head of a Native American chief to commemorate past campaigns against Native Americans.
Hegseth’s announcement has reignited discussions about the appropriateness of the Medals of Honor awarded for actions during the Wounded Knee massacre. While some view the decision as a rightful acknowledgment of military service, others argue it glosses over the atrocities committed against Native Americans.
In 1990, Congress issued an apology to the descendants of those killed at Wounded Knee, but did not rescind the medals. Hegseth’s announcement reinforces the complex legacy of these awards and the ongoing debate surrounding how history is interpreted and remembered.
This decision comes amid a broader cultural and political climate in which historical narratives are being reexamined. President Donald Trump’s executive order titled “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History” reflects a push against what some perceive as efforts to reinterpret American history. Since taking office, Hegseth has taken steps that challenge recommendations from a Congressionally-mandated commission regarding the use of Confederate names and references within the military.
Notably, Hegseth has reverted the names of several Army bases to their original Confederate-linked names and restored a 1914 memorial to the Confederacy that had been removed from Arlington National Cemetery. Additionally, a painting of Gen. Robert E. Lee has been reinstated at West Point, further indicating a shift in how military history is presented and honored.
The decision by Secretary Pete Hegseth to uphold the Medals of Honor for the soldiers involved in the Wounded Knee massacre underscores the ongoing complexities of American military history and the narratives surrounding it. As the nation grapples with its past, the discussions surrounding these medals will likely continue, reflecting broader societal debates about honor, memory, and historical accountability.
