The Pentagon reinstated webpages honoring the Navajo Code Talkers and other Native American veterans today, days after their removal as part of a sweeping purge of diversity, equity, and inclusion content triggered widespread criticism from tribal leaders.
The action follows President Donald Trump’s executive order dismantling federal DEI programs, which led to the deletion of thousands of Defense Department pages celebrating contributions by women and minority groups, including the famed Navajo Code Talkers of World War II.
The Navajo Code Talkers, initially 29 recruits who developed an unbreakable code based on their unwritten language, played a pivotal role in the Pacific theater from 1942 to 1945. Using Navajo words—like “sheep, eyes, nose, and deer” for “send”—they transmitted thousands of flawless messages about Japanese troop movements and tactics, baffling enemy cryptologists and helping secure victory
. Hundreds of Navajos and Native Americans from over 20 tribes, including Choctaw and Cherokee, served as code talkers in both world wars, cementing their legacy as unsung heroes.
The Pentagon blamed an artificial intelligence-driven review process for mistakenly flagging and removing content mentioning “Navajo,” according to White House officials briefing
By Tuesday, links to Code Talker pages returned “404 - Page not found” errors, but some were restored by Wednesday--though those tied to Native American Heritage Month remain offline, along with thousands of other DEI-related pages.
Pentagon press secretary John Ullyot called the erasure an error, stating, “When content is removed outside the directive’s scope, we instruct components to correct it to recognize our heroes for their dedicated service alongside their fellow Americans, period.”
Still, the incident drew sharp rebukes from Native leaders, who argued their sovereign nations and historic contributions transcend DEI labels.
Nygren, who pressed the Defense Department for answers, welcomed the resolution.
“The legacy of our cherished Navajo Code Talkers must never be erased from American and Navajo history,” he said. Peter MacDonald, 96, one of only two surviving Code Talkers, agreed. “That code saved countless lives and helped win the war in the Pacific—it has nothing to do with DEI,” he said from his Arizona home.
A Trump supporter, MacDonald urged the administration to distinguish between erasing DEI and preserving history.
The controversy extended beyond the Code Talkers. Pages honoring Jackie Robinson’s military service, a Black Medal of Honor recipient, and Japanese American troops were also briefly deleted but restored after public outcry.
Ullyot emphasized the Pentagon’s admiration for all such heroes, insisting their recognition isn’t about “immutable characteristics” like race or ethnicity.
Yet skepticism lingers. Michael Smith, son of Code Talker Samuel “Jesse” Smith Sr., questioned the removals’ purpose, asking, “How does taking Navajo Code Talkers off the website save money?”
Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis of the Gila River Indian Community, home to Iwo Jima flag-raiser Ira Hayes, warned that broader erasure of Native veteran stories could follow.
As the Pentagon scrambles to reassure the public, the restored pages stand as a testament to the Code Talkers’ valor—and a reminder of the delicate line between policy and history.
