Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleSecretary of War Pete Hegseth has ruled that US Army soldiers awarded the Medal of Honor for their involvement in the 1890 Battle of Wounded Knee will be allowed to retain their accolades. The battle resulted in the deaths or injuries of up to 375 Lakota men, women, and children.Nineteen US soldiers received the Medal of Honor for their actions, despite a 1990 congressional apology to Native Americans for the massacre. The medals had been subject to calls for revocation, notably through the ‘Remove the Stain Act’ led by high-profile Democrats.Hegseth said: “This decision is now final, and [the soldiers’] place in our nation’s history is no longer up for debate.”In fullPete Hegseth says Wounded Knee veterans will be allowed to keep their medalsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in