Pentagon Removes, then Restores Webpage Honoring Black Medal of Honor Recipient

​The Department of Defense recently removed a webpage dedicated to Major General Charles Calvin Rogers, a Black Medal of Honor recipient. 

Rogers was awarded the nation's highest military honor in 1970 by President Richard Nixon for his valor during the Vietnam War, where he sustained multiple injuries while leading the defense of a military base. 

Rogers was the highest-ranking African American to receive the Medal of Honor. Following his death in 1990, he was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery, and in 1999, a bridge in his birthplace of Fayette County, West Virginia, was renamed in his honor.

The DOD website featuring Rogers’ story as part of an ongoing “Medal of Honor Monday” series was not just taken down, the URL was changed to include the text “dei-medal-of-honor.” 

This sparked significant backlash from veterans and military advocates, who viewed it as part of a troubling pattern of disregarding the contributions of those who served. 

“Maj. Gen. Charles Calvin Rogers earned the Medal of Honor through valor, not 'DEI.' The DoD erased his page, only to reinstate it after backlash. History matters—especially when its erasure serves an agenda. Respect our heroes, don't rewrite their legacy.” – Ben Crump on X

“Could this administration be any more demeaning toward veterans, especially those of color?” – Doug Fisher on X

“Lieutenant Colonel Charles Calvin Rogers' site being removed in the Pentagon is disgusting.... Whatever system used to identify DEI in the fed is inherently colorist, obtuse, and unethical” – Ging Rhames on X

“The Pentagon’s removal of Major General Charles Calvin Rogers’ Medal of Honor page is a disgraceful erasure of a Black war hero’s legacy.” – Anonymous on X 

Following public outcry, the DoD restored the webpage honoring Rogers. A spokesperson stated that "the story was removed during the auto removal process." However, the department did not provide details about the removal process or explain why the page's URL was briefly altered to include "dei." 

This incident is part of a broader initiative by the Trump administration to remove references to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) across the federal government. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated in a January memo that DEI policies "are incompatible with the values" of the DoD, emphasizing that the department will strive to provide equal opportunities but will not "guarantee or strive for equal outcomes." ​