The Pentagon has reinstated several of its webpages that had previously highlighted notable Black veterans, such as Jackie Robinson, the Tuskegee Airmen, and Vietnam-era Medal of Honor recipient Maj. Gen. Charles Calvin Rogers. This restoration also includes mentions of the Navajo Code Talkers from World War II and the Japanese American 442nd Combat Regiment.
Two Defense Department officials, who requested anonymity, disclosed to NPR that the removals were part of a comprehensive review of numerous stories, photos, and videos. The aim was to eliminate materials pertaining to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in accordance with policy guidelines established by the Trump administration.
Previously, Pentagon spokesperson John Ullyot emphasized that the Defense Department honors individuals such as Jackie Robinson, the Navajo Code Talkers, the Tuskegee Airmen, and the Marines at Iwo Jima. The spokesperson highlighted that these veterans are recognized for their patriotism and dedication, rather than through attributes like race, ethnicity, or sex.
Ullyot stated that DEI principles are viewed as divisive to the military force, undermining unit cohesion and affecting the military’s core warfighting mission. The spokesperson expressed satisfaction with the Department’s swift adherence to a directive that called for the removal of DEI content from all its platforms. In cases where content removal exceeded the directive’s scope, adjustments were made to ensure that military heroes are acknowledged for their service alongside fellow Americans.
One Pentagon official remarked that while the review is ongoing, certain aspects were possibly conducted too hastily. Keywords such as “gender” and “gay” inadvertently led to the flagging of unrelated historical content, such as images of the Enola Gay, the aircraft involved in dropping the atomic bomb on Japan during World War II. The official clarified that the intention is to comply with the policy without erasing history.
