Department of Defense deleted over 26,000 images including Enola Gay, Tuskegee Airmen, and Navajo Code Talkers. Although Department of Defense restored the deleted contents and stated that it was unintentional, some doubt that it was part of anti-DEI protocol that targeted minority veterans.

• NBC4 Washington Article: https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/national-international/war-heroes-and-military-firsts-are-among-26000-images-flagged-for-removal-in-pentagons-dei-purge/3861030/

• Forbes Article: https://www.forbes.com/sites/conormurray/2025/03/07/enola-gay-aircraft-and-other-historic-items-inaccurately-targeted-under-pentagons-anti-dei-purge/

• Cronkite News Article: https://cronkitenews.azpbs.org/2025/03/18/pentagon-blames-mistake-deletion-navajo-code-talkers-pages-dei-scrub/

• The Japan Times Article: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/03/19/japan/politics/us-pentagon-dei-japan-removals/

“Tuskegee Airmen” are first African American military pilots in U.S. Army during World War II that showed bravery and great combat skill in Europe despite facing racial discrimination.
“Navajo Code Talkers” are Native American Marines that used their unique Navajo language to create unbreakable military communication code in the Pacific Theater during World War II.