Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that the 19 soldiers awarded Medals of Honor for their actions at Wounded Knee in 1890 will retain their awards. This decision follows a review ordered by Hegseth’s predecessor, Lloyd Austin, in response to congressional recommendations. The review panel concluded that the soldiers deserved the medals despite the historical context of the event, where the U.S. Army killed approximately 250 Native Americans. This decision aligns with Hegseth’s broader actions, including restoring Confederate-linked names and memorials in the military, and echoes a White House executive order that discouraged reinterpretations of American history.
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The US Department of Defense webpage honoring Medal of Honor recipient Maj. Gen. Charles Calvin Rogers was temporarily removed and its URL altered to include “DEI,” prompting public outcry. The page’s removal occurred during an automated process, according to the department. Following the controversy, the webpage was restored to its original form, with the added “DEI” removed from the URL. This incident coincided with the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to roll back diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives within the federal government.
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The US Department of Defense webpage honoring Medal of Honor recipient Maj. Gen. Charles Calvin Rogers, the highest-ranking African American to receive the award, has been removed. The URL was altered to include “DEI,” short for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, following a recent appeals court decision lifting a block on executive orders aiming to end federal DEI programs. A Google cache shows the page previously highlighted Rogers’s service and commitment to racial and gender equality. The Department of Defense has not yet commented on the removal.
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John Q. Hosedrinker