My original statement is correct. The U.S. has never claimed the islands. The actions of some officer do not bind the U.S. government, and the U.S. government has never recognized or claimed the islands as American territory.
Believe what you will, but I presented the proof that your statement was wrong. The men of the Jeannette Expedition discovered the islands, claimed the islands for the US, planted a flag on the islands, and acting as representatives of the U.S. Government, claimed them as territories of the United States. It’s historical fact. What the U.S. Government in D.C. did from that point is separate, but it dishonors the memory of the men who sacrificed their lives on this mission to state that “no claim was made” when it certainly was.
By the way, George Wallace Melville wasn’t “some officer”. He was a hero and deserves much more respect than you’ve given him.