Summary
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced that American soldiers who received medals after the 1890 Wounded Knee Massacre should keep them. This decision has caused disagreement because the incident involved a large number of Lakota Native Americans being killed, some of whom were women and children.
Key Facts
- Pete Hegseth is the Secretary of War and a former Fox News presenter and National Guard officer.
- He decided that soldiers awarded medals after the Wounded Knee Massacre will keep their honors.
- The Wounded Knee Massacre occurred on December 29, 1890, where 250-300 Lakota Native Americans were killed.
- 20 American soldiers received Medals of Honor for their actions at Wounded Knee.
- The massacre involved the U.S. 7th Cavalry Regiment trying to disarm a Lakota camp.
- A review was conducted to reassess these medals under President Biden's Defense Secretary, Lloyd Austin.
- Pete Hegseth has also been involved in other military history discussions, such as maintaining a Confederate Memorial at Arlington.
- Public responses on social media platforms like X have been critical of Hegseth's decision.
