Summary
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that the soldiers involved in the 1890 Wounded Knee Massacre will keep their medals. This decision goes against efforts by some lawmakers to revoke these medals due to the historical significance of the massacre. The U.S. Army had awarded 20 soldiers medals after they killed many Lakota Sioux, including women and children.
Key Facts
- U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth decided the soldiers' medals will not be revoked.
- The medals were awarded for actions in the 1890 Wounded Knee Massacre.
- Around 250 Lakota Sioux, including unarmed women and children, were killed.
- Some lawmakers had pushed for the medals to be rescinded.
- Congress apologized to Wounded Knee descendants in 1990 but did not revoke the medals.
- Former Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had ordered a review of the medals in 2024.
- The Oglala Sioux Tribe plans to respond to Hegseth’s decision.
- Historians and some officials criticized the decision to keep the medals.
