H.R. 3609: Remove the Stain Act

This bill, known as the Remove the Stain Act, aims to rescind the Medals of Honor awarded to soldiers of the U.S. 7th Cavalry for their actions during the Wounded Knee Massacre that occurred on December 29, 1890. This event resulted in the deaths and injuries of approximately 350-375 Lakota men, women, and children, making it a significant and tragic point in American history. The bill details several key components:

Findings

The bill includes findings that underscore the importance of the Medal of Honor as the highest military award and the criteria required to earn it, emphasizing that recipients should exemplify bravery and extraordinary acts beyond the call of duty. The findings also note:

• The Medal of Honor has been awarded only 3,547 times in U.S. history, with specific percentages awarded for various conflicts.
• The Wounded Knee Massacre involved a heavily armed U.S. troop engagement against unarmed Native Americans, leading to a disproportionate number of civilian casualties, many of whom were women and children.
• Several official resolutions and statements have called for the revocation of these medals due to the nature of the actions taken during the massacre.

Actions Proposed

The bill proposes specific actions regarding the rescission of the medals:

• Rescission of Medals: All Medals of Honor awarded for actions during the Wounded Knee Massacre will be rescinded.
• Removal from Records: The names of the recipients will be removed from the Medal of Honor Roll for the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard.
• No Return Required: Individuals who received these medals will not be required to return them to the Federal Government.
• No Denial of Benefits: The rescission of the medals will not impact any federal benefits received by the individuals.

Context of the Bill

This legislation addresses a contentious historical issue regarding the treatment of Native Americans and seeks to acknowledge the gravity of actions taken against them. The bill reflects a broader effort to reconcile historical injustices and maintain the integrity of the Medal of Honor as a symbol of honorable service.

Relevant Companies

None found.