The Pentagon has reinstated several of its webpages that honored Black veterans like Jackie Robinson, the Tuskegee Airmen, and Vietnam-era Medal of Honor recipient Maj. Gen. Charles Calvin Rogers. The restoration also includes pages dedicated to the Navajo Code Talkers from World War II and the Japanese American 442nd Combat Regiment. According to two Defense Department officials, who spoke anonymously, the removal was part of a comprehensive review process targeting thousands of stories, photos, and videos to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion materials in accordance with the Trump administration’s guidelines.
Previously, the Pentagon spokesperson, John Ullyot, issued a statement emphasizing the department’s respect for historical military figures, including Jackie Robinson and other veterans. They are recognized and honored not based on their race, ethnicity, or gender but for their patriotism and commitment to the military mission, much like every other service member.
Ullyot elaborated that the removal of certain content, if done incorrectly or mistakenly, will be corrected to ensure that military heroes are celebrated for their services. He also criticized DEI, referring to it as a “Discriminatory Equity Ideology,” stating it disrupts unity and the core functions of the military.
One Pentagon official noted, despite the ongoing review, that it prematurely flagged certain items. The review used terms like “gender” and “gay,” inadvertently affecting unrelated subjects like the Enola Gay, a World War II aircraft. The official stressed that the review aims to adhere to policy without erasing historical content.
