The move was led by Hawaii Democratic Rep. Kaiali’i Kahele, who dubbed it the “Remove the Stain Act” and said in a statement at the time: “We must remind ourselves of the uncomfortable truth that this land – the United States – was taken from indigenous peoples.

“Although we can never undo the irreparable damage inflicted on indigenous peoples, we can do our best to respect their lands, empower our communities, and acknowledge the truth behind our shared history.”

The act was and ultimately referred to the Senate Committee on Armed Services but was revived this May by Democratic Sens. Elizabeth Warrenand Jeff Merkley, with the former saying: “We cannot be a country that celebrates and rewards horrifying acts of violence against Native people.

“Congress must recognize how shameful this massacre was and take an important step toward justice for the Lakota people.”

. . . The Biden panel recommended in October 2024 that the medals should stand, but, according to Hegseth, his predecessor, then-secretary of defense Lloyd Austin, failed to act because he was “more interested in being politically correct than historically correct.”

“Such careless inaction has allowed for their distinguished recognition to remain in limbo until now,” the secretary continued. “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.”