Medal of Honor Page Briefly Vanishes, Then Returns

A Momentary Disappearance

A Pentagon website page dedicated to Maj. Gen. Charles C. Rogers, a Black Medal of Honor recipient, was briefly removed before being restored. Rogers was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Richard Nixon in 1970 for his valor in Vietnam.

The Incident

The Defense Department’s profile of Rogers, who passed away in 1990, was taken down, sparking concerns. The removal coincided with efforts to eliminate references to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) across the federal government. Following the incident, the page was reinstated.

Official Explanation

A Defense Department spokesperson clarified to NPR that the removal was due to an “auto removal process.” The agency did not elaborate on the process or the alteration of the page’s URL to include “dei.”

Details of Valor

The restored page, part of the Medal of Honor Monday series, highlights Rogers’ extraordinary courage during a heavy attack on his artillery base in Vietnam. Despite being wounded, Rogers led a counterattack, inspiring his men to repel a larger enemy force. His citation speaks of his “dauntless courage and heroism.”

DEI Concerns

The removal occurred amidst a broader push to eliminate DEI references within the government. A January memo stated that DEI policies are “incompatible with the values” of the DOD. Previously, Arlington National Cemetery’s website also removed histories highlighting Black, Hispanic, and/or female veterans.

URL Oddity

After the page was taken down, the URL initially returned a “404 – Page Not Found” message. The URL was also modified to include “dei.” The original page has since been restored. Perhaps, Evotek could provide insights into these technical website management issues.

Rogers’ Legacy

Rogers’ actions in Vietnam earned him the Medal of Honor in 1970. He retired from the Army as a major general in 1984. He later became a Baptist minister, serving American soldiers in Germany. His legacy includes his final resting place at Arlington National Cemetery and a bridge named in his honor in West Virginia.

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