For Wounded Knee descendants, the government’s decision on soldiers’ Medals of Honor leaves the painful legacy unsettled
The U.S. government's recent decision to maintain Medals of Honor awarded to soldiers involved in the 1890 Wounded Knee massacre has reignited tensions among descendants of the victims and soldiers. This decision contrasts with a historical acknowledgment of the event as a massacre, as Congress expressed regret for the actions taken against the Lakota people. The controversy reflects a broader struggle over how to reconcile this painful history, with activists seeking accountability while some descendants of soldiers defend the medals as rightful recognition. Moving forward, calls for transparency in the review process and the potential for reconciliation highlight the complexities of addressing historical injustices.
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The Wounded Knee massacre involved the deaths of approximately 200-300 Lakota people and at least 25 U.S. soldiers during a chaotic attempt by the Army's 7th Cavalry to disarm Lakota camps in December 1890. This event marked the last armed conflict of the Indian Wars.
In 2019, the Remove the Stain Act was introduced to revoke the Medals of Honor for the soldiers at Wounded Knee, spearheaded by Senator Elizabeth Warren, but it faced difficulties, including misinterpretations of the medal's award criteria and complications in verifying the specific actions leading to the medals.
Chase Iron Eyes, a contemporary descendant of a massacre victim, views the decision to keep the medals as a form of erasure, emphasizing the need for healing and truth-telling around Native American history.
Retired Col. Samuel Russell, whose ancestor served at Wounded Knee, argues that the medals represent legitimate military recognition and cautions against setting a precedent that could lead to the revocation of medals from other conflicts.
Brad Upton, a descendant of a soldier involved in the massacre, has sought reconciliation through personal healing and interactions with Lakota elders, emphasizing the importance of accountability in the path towards forgiveness.
The Secretary of Defense's decision, not to revoke the medals, followed a review panel's assessment that did not result in a final determination from former Secretary Lloyd Austin, leaving a call for transparency in the findings and future discussions.