Should the 20 CMOHs presented to soldiers from the Battle of Wounded Knee be rescinded? Read the full after action reports before answering.

2015-06-02T22:54:13-04:00

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2015 10:57 PM

2015-06-02T22:57:31-04:00

Almost all history I have read on the massacre was pretty straight forward in the tragedy. Idk how much valor and honor one can get from butchering mostly defenseless people, including women and children, but it definitely doesn't seem to merit the CMOH. Just my thought on it.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2015 11:16 PM

2015-06-02T23:16:20-04:00

In the US Army's Surgeon General's own reports, following his investigation into the wounds suffered by the troops, both non-fatal and fatal, a significant majority of the injuries came from "Friendly Fire," not from a hundred armed Indian warriors, which there were not, to begin with. Estimates range from 150 to 300 Indians, mostly old men, women and children, were systematically and brutally murdered by the US Army that day. And, for that, twenty soldiers were decorated with the nation's highest military honor. Was it the first time, no. Is it an egregious error made by the nation's highest military and political figures to make a statement about what would prove to be the end of the Native Americans' way of life? Political and social climates aside, murder has always been murder, unless you were an American Indian. Does that make these awards right and, if not, something I adamantly espouse, then I firmly believe that these medals should be rescinded. If the government can award the CMOH posthumously to two worthy WWI soldiers yesterday after nearly 100 years, the government can take them away if the CMOH was improperly presented. It has been done several times before, and for much less bloodthirsty reasons.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2015 11:53 PM

2015-06-02T23:53:58-04:00

The Civil War era and pre-WWI CMH medals were based on another standard. We should not go back and 'correct' this because the standard has changed.

Response by TSgt Kenneth Ellis made Jun 2 at 2015 11:57 PM

2015-06-02T23:57:17-04:00

So should we re evaluate everyone who was awarded the CMOH by today standards?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 3 at 2015 12:26 AM

2015-06-03T00:26:45-04:00

Whether they should or should not be rescinded is irrelevant, as there is not a politician alive who would lead the charge to do so. The backlash and media storm that would be created by the mere mention of rescinding 20 CMOH would ensure the true story and reason for the inquiry would never be heard. What would it solve or prove now? Would American Indians receive some sort of retribution, solace, or closure?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 3 at 2015 12:48 AM

2015-06-03T00:48:38-04:00

Huh, a down vote with no explanation from SCPO Private RallyPoint Member. Did my comment not add to the conversation? Because, you see, I read everything you posted, and did my own research into the Battle of Wounded Knee. So I'll ask again, what would be the point of recinsion? Would it help anything today? My stance is no, it wouldn't, so really there is no point to discussing a recinsion. We'd be better served discussing the lessons learned from the battle and ensuring nothing like this could happen in the future.

Response by SSgt Thomas A Tullis Jr made Jun 3 at 2015 8:29 AM

2015-06-03T08:29:11-04:00

Unfortunately rescinding these awards would accomplish nothing. We, the People, are to blame for this massacre and decorating these men. We, the People, demanded more room for our westward push and the Native Americans were in the way.

Today's standards can't be applied to history or events of yesteryear. Should this happen then Our history will be completely rewritten.

Response by SPC Robert Bruington Sr. made Jun 6 at 2015 7:53 PM

2015-06-06T19:53:46-04:00

I think men did what they did because they saw a future that was different from what they were living.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 6 at 2015 8:04 PM

2015-06-06T20:04:48-04:00

I recall reading something about some MoH were rescinded after the Indian Wars. They were all later restored. I don't think this really helps either way.

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Jun 6 at 2015 8:08 PM

2015-06-06T20:08:53-04:00

Ya'll should know it's not the Congressional Medal of Honor....just Medal of Honor.

Response by LTC Bink Romanick made Jun 6 at 2015 8:30 PM

2015-06-06T20:30:20-04:00

You can't in ring a bell.

Response by LTC Bink Romanick made Jun 6 at 2015 8:38 PM

2015-06-06T20:38:31-04:00

Many Indian War recipients have been downgraded... My feeling expressed elsewhere is you can't un-ring a bell.

Response by COL Ted Mc made Jun 7 at 2015 12:22 PM

2015-06-07T12:22:16-04:00

For what purpose.

After all, it's not like those medal recipients are touring the country on recruiting drives or giving speeches on behalf of political candidates.

Face it, the "Patriots" committed acts which were considered normal in their day but which we would consider to be "war crimes" today. Does that mean that the US should be given back to the Brits?

Response by COL Sam Russell made Oct 21 at 2019 8:23 PM

2019-10-21T20:23:41-04:00

No. As I explain here
https://www.blogtalkradio.com/veterans_radio/2019/09/03/wounded-knee-battle-or-massacre-should-the-medals-of-honor-be-revoked

wounded-knee-battle-or-massacre-should-the-medals-of-honor-be-revoked