US Defense Secretary Retains 1890 Wounded Knee Medals Amid Indigenous Criticism

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has decided that soldiers who participated in the 1890 Wounded Knee event will retain their Medals of Honor, a decision that has sparked significant backlash, particularly from Native American communities and some lawmakers. The Battle of Wounded Knee, often described as a massacre, resulted in the deaths of approximately 250 to 300 Lakota Sioux, including women and children, and is viewed by many as a symbol of historical injustice. Critics, including Sioux tribal leaders and lawmakers such as Rep. Eric Emery, argue that maintaining the medals glorifies violence and dishonors Native American victims, calling for their revocation as a step toward truth and reconciliation. The medals were awarded to 19 members of the 7th Cavalry Regiment, and despite a 1990 Congressional apology to the descendants of the victims, the awards were not rescinded. Hegseth justified his decision by stating the soldiers "deserve those medals" and emphasized their place in U.S. history is "no longer up for debate," a stance that contrasts with prior efforts to review the awards, including a 2024 review ordered by former Secretary Lloyd Austin. The controversy highlights ongoing tensions between honoring military history and addressing historical accountability and reparative justice for Indigenous communities.