• The Pentagon briefly removed the Medal of Honor page for Army Maj. Gen. Charles C. Rogers, a prominent Black war hero.
• The website alteration drew backlash over perceived attempts to erase Black military history amid DEI policy reversals.
• After public outrage, the Department of Defense restored the webpage, clarifying it was part of an 'auto removal process.'

The U.S. Department of Defense's (DoD) recent actions have ignited a significant controversy following the temporary removal and subsequent restoration of the webpage dedicated to Army Maj. Gen. Charles C. Rogers, a distinguished Black recipient of the Medal of Honor. Rogers, noted for his valor during the Vietnam War, has been honored by both his community and the military, making his brief erasure particularly unsettling for many who view it as a troubling sign of historical revisionism. The webpage initially displayed a "404 – Page Not Found" error message, and intriguingly, the URL had been altered to include "deimedal," raising questions about a political agenda regarding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Rogers's heroism is well-documented; he was decorated for his extraordinary courage during a fierce North Vietnamese assault on the 1st Battalion Fire Support Base in Vietnam in 1968. Commanding his troops despite sustaining multiple injuries from enemy fire, he exemplified the highest standards of military leadership. Later recognized by President Richard Nixon, his legacy as a war hero resonates with many, especially given that he was the highest-ranking Black soldier to receive this prestigious award. Following the sudden removal of his webpage, which seemingly aligned with broader attempts to dismiss DEI-related content across federal agencies—initiated during Donald Trump's administration—public figures and veterans voiced their outrage. Brandon Friedman, a former Obama administration official, highlighted the importance of preserving such historical accounts, stating that it was "blood-boiling" to see Rogers's page altered in this manner. After the outcry, the Pentagon confirmed that the page had been restored on March 17, clarifying through a spokesperson that its removal was due to an automated process rather than any deliberate attempt to erase history. The agency did not elaborate on the why the URL had been modified, nor did it provide assurances regarding the future integrity of similar pages. This incident is not an isolated one, as it comes amid a broader context where various military historical references involving Black, Hispanic, and female veterans are being scrutinized. Reports indicate that thousands of pages related to such figures are flagged for removal as part of the administration's ongoing review of military documentation. Rogers's legacy, however, remains secure. He is remembered not just as a war hero, but also as a champion for equality during his service, which spanned decades until his retirement in 1984. He lies at rest in Arlington National Cemetery and has been posthumously honored through various tributes, such as the Charles C. Rogers Bridge. The conversation around Rogers's webpage illustrates the ongoing struggles to confront and accurately represent historical narratives, particularly those relating to underrepresented groups within the military. For more information, you can view the full story from NPR, alongside additional coverage from Newsweek and India Times.