The Pentagon has admitted to making errors in its recent effort to remove diversity-related content from its websites and social media, leading to the deletion of tributes to figures such as Jackie Robinson, the Navajo Code Talkers, and the Tuskegee Airmen. The removal also included historic images of U.S. Marines raising the American flag at Iwo Jima, which were taken down because they appeared on a page honoring Pfc. Ira Hayes, a Pima Indian who participated in the event.
A statement released by the Department of Defense acknowledged that some materials were archived that “should not have been” and confirmed that officials are now reviewing the removed content to determine whether it can be restored or modified to meet current guidelines.
This action followed an executive order ending federal diversity programs, including those within the military, as part of a broader policy shift. A biography of Medgar Evers, a World War II veteran and civil rights leader, was also erased from a national cemetery website.
A department spokesperson attributed the removals to automated tools, stating that some significant historical content had been taken down mistakenly. The Pentagon assured that efforts are underway to restore materials that were incorrectly deleted.
While some tributes—such as those honoring Robinson and the Navajo Code Talkers—have been reinstated following public criticism, many pages dedicated to non-white service members remain unavailable, often leading to broken links.
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