OPINION| In a stunning display of ignorance and disrespect, the Biden administration has announced its intention to rescind 20 Medal of Honor awards given to soldiers in the 1890s who are no longer alive to defend themselves. This misguided and politically motivated decision is a slap in the face to the brave men who fought and died for our country, and it sets a dangerous precedent for the future of our nation’s highest military honor.
The Medal of Honor is the United States’ highest military decoration, awarded for acts of valor above and beyond the call of duty. It is a symbol of bravery, sacrifice, and selflessness, and it represents the very best of what our country has to offer. To even consider rescinding these awards, which were bestowed upon soldiers who have long since passed away, is an affront to their memory and a betrayal of the values that they fought and died to uphold.
NEWS: @SecDef Austin Orders Review of Wounded Knee Medalshttps://t.co/Cr9A7tIJ3s
— Department of Defense 🇺🇸 (@DeptofDefense) July 24, 2024
It is worth noting that the Medal of Honor was not always awarded for the same level of heroism that it is today. In the 1890s, the criteria for receiving the award were less stringent, and many soldiers were recognized for their bravery in the face of danger, even if their actions did not meet the modern standards of valor. This does not diminish the sacrifices that these men made or the courage that they displayed in the heat of battle.
Per The Department of Defense:
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III has directed the Defense Department to review the Medals of Honor awarded to approximately 20 soldiers for their actions during the December 1890 engagement at Wounded Knee Creek, South Dakota, to ensure no awardees were recognized for conduct inconsistent with the nation’s highest military honor.
DOD’s Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness will convene a special review panel to conduct an individualized assessment based on standards in effect during that period.
The scope of the panel’s review is limited to examining each Medal of Honor awardee’ s individual actions during the engagement at Wounded Knee Creek. However, “The [special review panel] may consider the context of the overall engagement as appropriate, including as necessary to understand each [Wounded Knee Creek Medal of Honor] recipient’s individual actions,” Austin wrote in a memorandum directing the review, which was released today.
Austin signed the memorandum last week following department consultation with the White House and Department of the Interior.
Wounded Knee Medal of Honor Awards to Be Reviewed https://t.co/dfyMXEoGRT
— 𝓒𝓸𝓷𝓼𝓮𝓻𝓿𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓿𝓮𝓓𝓲𝓿𝓪™ (@1776Diva) July 25, 2024
The Biden administration’s attempt to rewrite history and dishonor these fallen heroes is a thinly veiled attempt to appease the woke mob and score political points. It is a disgraceful display of cowardice and a complete disregard for the sacrifices that these soldiers made in service to our country.
As Americans, we have a duty to honor and remember the brave men and women who have fought and died for our freedom. We must resist the temptation to judge the actions of our ancestors through the lens of modern political correctness, and we must stand firm in our commitment to the rule of law and the principles upon which our nation was founded.
The Biden administration’s decision to rescind these Medal of Honor awards is a grave mistake that must be corrected. We must demand that our elected officials respect the sacrifices of our fallen heroes and uphold the integrity of the Medal of Honor. Failure to do so will only serve to further erode the trust that the American people have in their government and the institutions that are meant to serve and protect them.
In conclusion, the Biden administration’s attempt to rescind 20 Medal of Honor awards given to soldiers in the 1890s is a shameful and disrespectful act that must be condemned by all Americans who value the sacrifices of our military and the rule of law. We must stand up for our fallen heroes and demand that their memory be honored and respected, rather than used as a political pawn in the never-ending game of woke virtue signaling.
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