Current:Home > ScamsPentagon panel to review Medals of Honor given to soldiers at the Wounded Knee massacre -Wealth Navigators Hub
Pentagon panel to review Medals of Honor given to soldiers at the Wounded Knee massacre
View
Date:2025-04-12 12:37:24
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Defense Department will review the Medals of Honor that were given to 20 U.S. soldiers for their actions in the 1890 battle at Wounded Knee to make sure their conduct merits such an honorable award.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered the review by a special panel of experts after consultation with the White House and the Department of the Interior. Congress recommended such a review in the 2022 defense bill, reflecting a push by some lawmakers to rescind the awards for those who participated in the massacre on South Dakota’s Pine Ridge Indian Reservation near Wounded Knee Creek.
An estimated 250 Native Americans, including women and children, were killed in the fight and at least another 100 were wounded.
Medals of Honor were given to 20 soldiers from the 7th Cavalry Regiment, and their awards cite a range of actions including bravery, efforts to rescue fellow troops and actions to “dislodge Sioux Indians” who were concealed in a ravine.
Native American groups, advocates, state lawmakers from South Dakota and a number of Congress members have called for officials to revoke the awards. Congress apologized in 1990 to the descendants of those killed at Wounded Knee but did not revoke the medals.
In a memo signed last week, Austin said the panel will review each award “to ensure no soldier was recognized for conduct that did not merit recognition” and if their conduct demonstrated any disqualifying actions. Those could include rape or murder of a prisoner or attacking a non-combatant or someone who had surrendered.
Austin said Army Secretary Christine Wormuth must provide the historical records and documentation for the awards for each soldier to the panel by Friday. The panel must provide a written report no later than Oct. 15, recommending that each award be either revoked or retained.
The standards for awarding the Medal of Honor have evolved over time, but the review will evaluate the 20 soldiers’ actions based on the rules in place at the time. Austin said the panel of five experts can consider the context of the overall incident to assess each soldier’s actions.
The dispute continues a long history of contentious relations between the tribes in South Dakota and the government dating to the 1800s. The Wounded Knee massacre was the deadliest, as federal troops shot and killed Lakota men, women and children during a campaign to stop a religious practice known as the Ghost Dance.
veryGood! (2351)
Related
- At site of suspected mass killings, Syrians recall horrors, hope for answers
- Google forges ahead with its next generation of AI technology while fending off a breakup threat
- Michael Bublé Details Heartwarming Moment With Taylor Swift’s Parents at Eras Tour
- Biden commutes roughly 1,500 sentences and pardons 39 people in biggest single
- Kylie Jenner Shows Off Sweet Notes From Nieces Dream Kardashian & Chicago West
- Dick Van Dyke credits neighbors with saving his life and home during Malibu fire
- China's ruling Communist Party expels former chief of sports body
- Atmospheric river and potential bomb cyclone bring chaotic winter weather to East Coast
- 'As foretold in the prophecy': Elon Musk and internet react as Tesla stock hits $420 all
- Luigi Mangione merchandise raises controversy, claims of glorifying violence
Ranking
- Grammy nominee Teddy Swims on love, growth and embracing change
- GM to retreat from robotaxis and stop funding its Cruise autonomous vehicle unit
- Travis Kelce Praises Taylor Swift For Making Eras Tour "Best In The World"
- China's new tactic against Taiwan: drills 'that dare not speak their name'
- Rolling Loud 2024: Lineup, how to stream the world's largest hip hop music festival
- Oregon lawmakers to hold special session on emergency wildfire funding
- Luigi Mangione's Lawyer Speaks Out in UnitedHealthcare CEO Murder Case
- 'Maria' review: Angelina Jolie sings but Maria Callas biopic doesn't soar
Recommendation
Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
Chiquis comes from Latin pop royalty. How the regional Mexican star found her own crown
See Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon's Twins Monroe and Moroccan Gift Her Flowers Onstage
'Maria' review: Angelina Jolie sings but Maria Callas biopic doesn't soar
'Vanderpump Rules' star DJ James Kennedy arrested on domestic violence charges
California judges say they’re underpaid, and their new lawsuit could cost taxpayers millions
When does 'No Good Deed' come out? How to watch Ray Romano, Lisa Kudrow's new dark comedy
The Voice Season 26 Crowns a New Winner