The Pentagon has reinstated key webpages honoring notable Black military veterans, including Jackie Robinson, the Tuskegee Airmen, and Major Gen. Charles Calvin Rogers, a Vietnam-era Medal of Honor recipient, along with the Navajo Code Talkers and the Japanese-American 442nd Combat Regiment from World War II.
Two Defense Department officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, indicated that these pages were previously removed during a review aimed at eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) materials in accordance with the Trump administration’s policies.
Pentagon spokesman John Ullyot articulated the Defense Department’s recognition of these veterans, stating: “Everyone at the Defense Department respects the contributions of Jackie Robinson, the Navajo Code Talkers, the Tuskegee Airmen, and others who served with honor. We highlight their service without assessing them through the lens of race, ethnicity, or gender, but instead focus on their commitment to duty and their exemplary service.”
Recent developments revealed that the Department of Defense is proactive in removing any DEI-related content that detracts from the military’s mission and unity. An official acknowledged that while some content removal was necessary, the review process may have been overly aggressive, mistakenly including terms that led to the exclusion of significant historical references, including images linked to pivotal moments in World War II.
The ongoing review aims to balance compliance with policy while ensuring that critical parts of history are preserved and respected.
