Honoring Native American Military Service: Preserving Our Legacy Amid the Pentagon's DEI Purge

The recent removal of federal information about Native American service members during World War II is deeply disturbing to many of us. The Pentagon has erased content related to Ira Hayes, a Pima Marine and one of the iconic flag-raisers on Iwo Jima, and the legendary Navajo Code Talkers, whose unbreakable code was crucial to U.S. victories in the Pacific. This decision comes amid a broader purge of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) content from military websites.

As Cherokee and Native American communities, we feel the sting of erasure. Our families have a long history of defending this country, despite our complex relationship with the U.S. government.

A Legacy of Service and Sacrifice

Native Americans have served honorably in every major conflict since the Revolutionary War—over 200 years of dedication and sacrifice. Our People serve in the U.S. Armed Forces at a higher rate than any other ethnic or racial group in the nation. Military service is woven into our identity, reflecting our commitment to protecting our families, our communities, and our homeland.

One of the most significant contributions from Native Americans during World War II was the role of the Navajo Code Talkers. These brave men used the Diné language to develop an unbreakable code that proved pivotal in securing U.S. victories in the Pacific. During the invasion of Iwo Jima, Code Talkers sent over 800 coded messages without a single error. Their bravery and ingenuity saved countless lives and played a crucial role in the Allied victory.

The idea to use the Navajo language as a code came from a World War I veteran named Philip Johnston, who grew up on a Navajo reservation and was fluent in the language. He proposed that the complexity and tonal nature of the Navajo language would make it nearly impossible for the enemy to decode. In 1942, the Marine Corps approved the idea and recruited the first 29 Navajo Code Talkers, known as the "Original 29." These men developed a code based on the Navajo language, incorporating unique terms and substitutions that made it even more secure.

The Code Talkers memorized these terms and practiced relaying messages quickly and accurately. The result was a code that the Japanese never broke—a remarkable achievement given that Japan had cracked many other American codes during the war.

The Code Talkers saw some of the fiercest fighting of World War II, including at Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima, Saipan, and Okinawa. During the Battle of Iwo Jima, six Code Talkers worked tirelessly over a 48-hour period, sending more than 800 messages without a single error. Marine leadership credited them as being crucial to the victory, saying that the battle could not have been won without their efforts.

For decades after the war, the story of the Code Talkers remained classified, and they were not publicly recognized for their heroic efforts. It wasn’t until 1968 that the military declassified the code and acknowledged their role. In 2001, President George W. Bush presented the original 29 Code Talkers with the Congressional Gold Medal, and subsequent Code Talkers received the Congressional Silver Medal.

A Heartfelt Reflection

The erasure of this content is more than just a change on a webpage—it’s a dismissal of the sacrifices of our People. This decision not only disrespects our warriors but can also harm the mental and emotional well-being of our communities. When our stories are erased, it sends a message that our sacrifices are not worthy of recognition.

Despite this, we will continue to honor our veterans and our ancestors who served with distinction and pride. We will keep telling their stories and sharing our truths. Our communities have always endured, and we will persevere through this as well. We encourage our community members to take care of their physical and spiritual well-being amid this distressing news.

Standing Firm in Truth

As Indigenous Peoples, we have always overcome challenges to our identity and dignity. We have been warriors for generations, and we will continue to stand proud. The contributions of Native American service members will not be forgotten, no matter how hard some may try to erase them.

Let us continue to speak our truths and teach our children the stories of our warrior ancestors. We honor those who came before us and will pass their legacy on to future generations. Our commitment to service and our patriotism are unwavering, and our stories will endure—just as our People always have.

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