In a recent development, the Pentagon has initiated a review that could result in the rescindment of 20 Medals of Honor awarded to soldiers involved in the Wounded Knee Massacre.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has ordered this examination to re-evaluate the medals given for the 1890 battle in South Dakota.
The tragic encounter at Wounded Knee resulted in the deaths of approximately 250 Native Americans, including women and children, with at least another 100 injured.
Soldiers from the 7th Cavalry regiment were honored with Medals of Honor for their actions during this conflict on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation near Wounded Knee Creek.
These medals were awarded for various reasons, including bravery and efforts to rescue fellow soldiers, as well as actions taken to dislodge Sioux Indians from a ravine.
There has been significant pressure from Native American groups, advocates, South Dakota state lawmakers, and several members of Congress to revoke these medals.
Although Congress issued an apology in 1990 to the descendants of the massacre victims, it did not revoke the medals, despite acknowledging the event as a massacre.
The Review Process
In a memo signed last week, Austin emphasized that the panel will scrutinize each award to ensure that no soldier was recognized for actions that did not warrant such honors.
This includes reviewing allegations of misconduct such as rape, murder, or attacking non-combatants or those who had surrendered.
Dwight Mears, an Army veteran and former West Point professor, published a 2024 paper suggesting that most medal recipients did not meet the honor’s criteria.
He proposed that two soldiers might lose their medals due to their actions, while another soldier, Private Matthew Hamilton, was honored for actions as minor as corralling a stampede of mules.
The Significance of the Review
Austin has directed the review panel to submit their recommendations by October 15.
The Medal of Honor is highly esteemed, and this review underscores its significance beyond mere combat performance.
An official noted that the medal is awarded not just for fighting but for displaying extraordinary honor and gallantry.
The review seeks to address whether such qualities were evident during the Wounded Knee incident.
Historical Perspective
President Benjamin Harrison had instructed the army to prevent a potential uprising and disarm the Lakota tribe.
The conflict began when a deaf Lakota tribesman, Black Coyote, resisted disarmament, leading to a shot being fired and U.S. troops responding aggressively.
The 7th Cavalry’s indiscriminate firing resulted in the massacre of Lakota Sioux men, women, and children.
Maj. Gen. Nelson Miles, who was in charge of the investigation at the time, condemned the massacre in a private letter, calling it one of the most brutal and cold-blooded events he had ever witnessed.
Today, the site of Wounded Knee serves as a place of remembrance for Native Americans.
Conclusion
According to USA Today, the Medal of Honor was the sole military award available at the time of the massacre.
The ongoing review by the Pentagon highlights the importance of reassessing historical recognitions and ensuring they reflect the true nature of the events they commemorate.
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