Full Breakdown
Controversy Surrounds Wounded Knee Medals of Honor
10/1/2025, 6:48:45 AM
Historical Context of the Wounded Knee Massacre
On December 29, 1890, the U.S. 7th Cavalry Regiment killed nearly 300 unarmed Lakota men, women, and children near Wounded Knee Creek on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. This massacre followed rising tensions due to the Ghost Dance movement and decades of broken treaties and violence against Indigenous communities. The soldiers' actions were later recognized with 20 Medals of Honor awarded on June 27, 1891, a decision that many Native Americans view as a celebration of atrocity rather than valor.
Recent Developments: Defense Secretary Hegseth's Stance
In September 2025, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that the Medals of Honor awarded for the Wounded Knee Massacre would not be rescinded. Hegseth's remarks were framed within a broader critique of what he termed "woke culture" in the military. He stated, “The era of politically correct, overly sensitive, ‘don’t-hurt-anyone’s-feelings’ leadership ends right now at every level.” This announcement has drawn significant backlash from Native American communities and their advocates.
Responses from Native Leaders and Advocates
The Oglala Sioux Tribe condemned Hegseth's refusal, with President Frank Star Comes Out calling it "despicable, untruthful and insulting to the Great Sioux Nation." Janet Alkire, Standing Rock Sioux Tribal Chairwoman, emphasized that the actions at Wounded Knee were not deserving of honor. Senator Elizabeth Warren also criticized the decision, stating, “We cannot be a country that celebrates and rewards horrifying acts of violence.”
Marcella LeBeau, a Cheyenne River Sioux Tribal elder and U.S. Army veteran, has been a vocal advocate for the removal of these medals. She testified before Congress in 2020, expressing the pervasive sadness among Lakota people due to the massacre and calling for the medals to be rescinded. Despite her efforts and the introduction of the Remove the Stain Act, which aims to revoke the medals, the legislation has not passed.
Criticism of the Administration's Narrative
Critics argue that the Trump administration's stance reflects a broader disregard for Native sovereignty and historical injustices. The administration has faced accusations of perpetuating a narrative that valorizes violence against Indigenous peoples. Philip Deloria, a Harvard history professor and member of the Dakota Nation, remarked that Hegseth’s proclamation illustrates a troubling view of history as something that can be rewritten by those in power.
Broader Implications and Ongoing Advocacy
The refusal to rescind the Medals of Honor is seen as a continuation of systemic inequities faced by Native communities. The massacre at Wounded Knee and the subsequent occupation in 1973 serve as reminders of the ongoing struggle for justice and recognition. Advocates maintain that acknowledging these historical injustices is essential for healing and reconciliation.
Verbatim Quotes
- “A pervasive sadness exists among our Lakota due to the tragic loss of our Relatives at Wounded Knee. To promote healing, America must remove all Medals of Honor awarded for the Wounded Knee Massacre.” — Marcella LeBeau, Cheyenne River Sioux Tribal elder
- “They tarnish America’s Medals of Honor. There is no honor in murder.” — Cheyenne River Sioux Tribal Chairman Ryman LeBeau
- “We will not rest - not today, not tomorrow, not ever - until the truth is acknowledged and this national disgrace is corrected, our story must be told for generations to come.” — Frank Star Comes Out, President of the Oglala Sioux Tribe
The ongoing debate surrounding the Wounded Knee Medals of Honor highlights the complexities of historical memory and the need for a more nuanced understanding of America's past, particularly in relation to its Indigenous peoples.
