Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth announced Thursday that the soldiers awarded the Medal of Honor following the Battle of Wounded Knee will keep their medals.
The Battle of Wounded Knee, also known as the “Wounded Knee Massacre,” saw hundreds of Native Americans and over two dozen American soldiers killed after a standoff in December 1890 in South Dakota.
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Controversy about the battle has ensued for decades, especially around the 19 Medals of Honor awarded to soldiers for their service. Native American advocates have said the medals should not be awarded because of the battle’s alleged insidious nature.
Hegseth noted that a Pentagon review concluded last year that no medals should be revoked, but former Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin chose not to finalize the decision.
Under my direction, the soldiers who fought at the Battle of Wounded Knee will keep their medals.
— Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) September 25, 2025
This decision is final. Their place in history is settled. pic.twitter.com/klQlB6MZ6l
“Yet, despite this clear recommendation, former Secretary Lloyd Austin, for whatever reason, I think we know he was more interested in being politically correct than historically correct, chose not to make a final decision,” Hegseth said.
“Such careless inaction has allowed for their distinguished recognition to remain in limbo until now,” he added. “Under my direction, we’re making it clear without hesitation that the soldiers who fought in the Battle of Wounded Knee in 1890 will keep their medals, and we’re making it clear that they deserve those medals. This decision is now final, and their place in our nation’s history is no longer up for debate. We salute their memory, we honor their service, and we will never forget what they did.”
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Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) along with Rep. Jill Tokuda (D-HI) reintroduced the Remove the Stain Act in May of this year.
The legislation aimed to “strip the Medal of Honor from soldiers who participated in the slaughter of hundreds of Lakota men, women, and children at the Wounded Knee massacre.”