Revered Vietnam General’s Tribute Page Replaced with DEI Messaging

WASHINGTON D.C. — A webpage honoring U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Charles Calvin Rogers for his service during the Vietnam War has been removed, replaced by a link containing the letters “DEI.” The page, which celebrated Rogers’ receipt of the Medal of Honor, generated a “404” error message when accessed on Saturday.

The webpage detailing Rogers’ Medal of Honor achievements was altered from its original URL, with the term “medal” changed to “deimedal.” This modification appears to align with recent directives aimed at distancing federal websites from diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts. Rogers, who served valiantly in Vietnam, received the Medal of Honor from then-President Richard Nixon in 1970 and remains a prominent figure in military history.

After passing away in 1990, Rogers was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery, and a bridge in his birthplace of Fayette County was renamed in his honor in 1999. On Sunday, visitors attempting to access the page were met with a notice indicating that the content may have been relocated or deleted entirely.

Brandon Friedman, a journalist, highlighted the situation on social media, showcasing a Google preview of Rogers’ profile prior to its removal. His post revealed commentary on Rogers’ dedication to racial equality during his military career.

The Defense Department has not issued a formal comment on the matter. However, it follows a broader initiative from the current administration to reduce DEI programs across government channels. President Donald Trump’s administration has directed a cessation of policies perceived as prioritizing certain groups over others.

In a recent ruling favorable to the Trump administration, an appeals court lifted an injunction on executive orders targeting DEI initiatives within federal institutions. Various educational materials and notable histories related to service members of color, specifically from Arlington National Cemetery, have faced removal or alteration, impacting how significant figures are remembered.

Historian Kevin Levin expressed concern over the delisting of educational resources, which previously provided valuable insight into the contributions of Black and Hispanic service members buried at Arlington. Levin stated that this information was instrumental in historical education and should remain accessible.

Personnel from Arlington National Cemetery confirmed that several pages and content within the website have been “unpublished” to comply with new orders aimed at eliminating race- and gender-related references. This includes various educational modules and resources historically dedicated to prominent service members.

In a statement regarding the changes, an Army spokesperson noted that the Army is committed to complying with all executive orders pertaining to DEI and has taken steps to ensure compliance across its personnel, policies, and academic materials.

Some content is still accessible through indirect links, but primary navigation has been obstructed, raising questions about the intent behind these removals. While certain educational resources may still exist, their visibility has significantly diminished, creating gaps in historical narratives that emphasized diversity and inclusion in the U.S. military.

The impact of these actions extends beyond Arlington, as tens of thousands of images across various military platforms face deletion as part of the Department of Defense’s broader effort to remove DEI-related content. The removals encompass historical photos documenting milestones achieved by women and minorities within the military.

As the Department of Defense hastens its compliance with recent DEI-dismantling directives, the long-term effects on military education and history preservation remain uncertain, as historians, educators, and advocates call for clarity and accountability in how such changes are executed.