The Pentagon is conducting a review that could revoke 20 Medals of Honor awarded to soldiers involved in the Wounded Knee Massacre of 1890, as part of efforts to acknowledge that some recipients and memorials do not uphold standards of valor and honor. This move comes amid increased attention to racism in the military following the murder of George Floyd in 2020 and efforts to remove Confederate names from bases.
The review was ordered by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in response to the Senate declaring the battle at Wounded Knee a massacre more than three decades ago. The Army killed as many as 375 Native American men, women, and children during the incident. The review panel will consider each soldier’s actions during the battle and recommend revoking medals for those who did not meet the standards of valor at the time. Disqualifying actions could include intentionally attacking civilians, murder, and rape.
The Wounded Knee Massacre stemmed from a misinterpretation of a Lakota Sioux religious ceremony as an uprising, leading to a deadly confrontation between the Seventh Cavalry and the Lakota. Estimates suggest as many as 300 Lakota were killed, including non-combatants, leading to allegations of a brutal massacre. The site became a symbol of Native American rights struggles and a place of remembrance for Native Americans.
The review aims to ensure that Medals of Honor are awarded based on actions of true valor and honor and to hold soldiers accountable for dishonorable actions such as attacking non-combatants. The Pentagon is taking different measures to address historical injustices and promote a more inclusive and honorable military culture.
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