The Pentagon recently restored webpages highlighting the contributions of Navajo Code Talkers and other Native American veterans, after initially removing them as part of a sweep of military content promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. Following President Trump’s executive order ending DEI programs, the Defense Department accidentally deleted these pages. Thousands of other pages honoring women and minority groups were also mistakenly removed.
In response to the outcry from tribes and Native American leaders, the Pentagon reinstated the Navajo Code Talker material and other content highlighting historic achievements by servicemen and women of color. The Navajo Nation president requested clarity on the issue, and expressed relief that the code talker webpages were restored.
The Navajo Code Talkers played a vital role in WWII by developing a code based on the Navajo language that stumped Japanese cryptologists and contributed to the war effort. Despite concerns from survivors and family members of code talkers, the Pentagon reassured that they value and honor the contributions of these veterans.
The removal of the web content led to criticism and confusion, with some questioning the administration’s motives. Native American leaders are concerned that the removal of web content is just the beginning and could lead to erasure of important history. The Pentagon has since restored pages honoring Jackie Robinson, Black Medal of Honor winners, and Japanese American service members, emphasizing that they do not view or highlight achievements based on race, ethnicity, or sex.
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