The Pentagon has recently found itself in a controversy over the removal of web pages dedicated to celebrating the contributions of Black and Japanese American service members. These takedowns occurred amidst an ongoing effort to eliminate content promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), a move that has garnered both criticism and support. Notably, last week, a page honoring Army Maj. Gen. Charles Calvin Rogers, a Black Medal of Honor recipient, was taken down. Initially, the page’s address was convoluted to reflect “deimedal-of-honor,” resulting in a “404 – Page not found” error message as per a screenshot from the Internet Archive documented on March 15.
A U.S. official attributed the page’s removal to an automated system fault. Major Gen. Rogers, originally from West Virginia, was decorated with the Medal of Honor by President Nixon in 1970, marking him as one of the most high-ranking Black service members to receive this accolade. Amidst his service in Vietnam, he was injured three times. Rogers, who enlisted in 1951 shortly before racial integration in the military, voiced persistent concerns regarding discrimination faced by Black service members throughout his career.
On Monday, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell defended the initiative to cleanse websites of DEI-promoting content in a briefing. He reiterated a sentiment held by the President and Defense Secretary that diversity is not the department’s strength, rather shared purpose and unity form its core strength. Parnell, who led a diverse platoon in Afghanistan, dismissed diversity-related narratives with conviction.
However, the move has not been well-received by all. Veterans and communities that celebrate contributions from minority and female service members have questioned the administration’s relentless push against DEI imagery, raising concerns about potential negative impacts on military recruitment. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and President Donald Trump have already made controversial decisions, including the removal of notable figures like Navy Adm. Lisa Franchetti and Gen. CQ Brown Jr.
Richard Brookshire from the Black Veterans Project criticized the administration’s actions as indicative of a new era of racial discrimination akin to a modern “Jim Crow.” The removal of significant pages, such as one honoring the distinguished World War II Japanese-American 442nd Regimental Combat Team, marks another touchpoint in this contentious decision-making process. Army spokesperson Christopher Surridge explained the deletion was in line with directives from a Presidential Executive Order and Secretary of Defense.
The 442nd unit, recognized posthumously with numerous honors including the Congressional Gold Medal, faced substantial losses and prejudice during their service. Despite these parallels, a page recounting their achievements was removed during the dismantling of content emphasizing Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage. However, the Army is currently working to restore some elements of their story.
The decision to erase the 442nd’s contributions has prompted calls for reinstatement from lawmakers and advocacy groups like the Japanese American Citizens League, who view it as an attempt to erase historical contributions of minority soldiers. The League and supporters argue this act ignores the significant sacrifices made by these groups during a time of national suspicion and scrutiny. As discussions unfold, critics continue to emphasize the importance of these stories in fostering awareness of the military’s diverse history.
