Army restores 442nd regimental tribute after backlash

The U.S. Army has reinstated an article honoring the 442nd Regimental Combat Team after significant public backlash. As described by Hawaii News Now, the webpage had been removed earlier this month, sparking outrage from veterans’ families and lawmakers, including Rep. Ed Case of Hawaii and Rep. Mark Takano of California. Takano, whose great-uncle served in the unit, criticized the removal, calling for the immediate restoration of the tribute.

The 442nd, a World War II unit composed mostly of second-generation Japanese Americans, remains the most decorated combat unit in U.S. history for its size and length of service. In a statement reported by Hawaii News Now, an Army spokesperson acknowledged the public’s concerns, saying, “The 442nd Regimental Combat Team holds an honored place in Army history, and we are pleased to republish an article that highlights the brave soldiers who served in the ‘Go-for-Broke’ brigade.”

Webpage Removal Tied to Pentagon’s DEI Policy Changes

The removal of the 442nd tribute was part of a broader initiative to eliminate content linked to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. According to Civil Beat, a February 26 memo from Sean Parnell, assistant to the secretary of defense for public affairs, ordered the elimination of all DEI-related materials from military websites and social media by March 5. This directive led to the removal of numerous historical features, including those highlighting contributions of racial minority groups and women in the military.

Honolulu filmmaker Stuart Yamane, whose father served in the 442nd, criticized the move, telling Civil Beat, “This takes Trump’s cuts to a whole new personal level.” Other descendants of 442nd veterans expressed similar concerns. Drusilla Tanaka, daughter of a soldier who fought in Italy, said, “Trying to wipe out this part of history is the worst part… They are rewriting history, and that’s a sin.”

A Legacy That Cannot Be Erased

Despite the Army’s attempt to remove the webpage, the legacy of the 442nd remains deeply embedded in American military history. As described in Hawaii News Now, the unit’s soldiers earned 21 Congressional Medals of Honor, 9,486 Purple Hearts, and eight Presidential Unit Citations, fighting in critical battles such as Anzio, Monte Cassino, and the “Lost Battalion” rescue mission.

While the Pentagon justified the removals as part of a broader “digital content refresh,” critics argue that such actions undermine the sacrifices made by the 442nd soldiers. Juanita Allen, secretary of the Sons and Daughters of the 442nd, told Civil Beat that the unit’s story would continue to be preserved independently, stating, “We all know how wonderful they were. We don’t need the U.S. government to toot their horn.”

Although the Army has now reinstated the article, the controversy surrounding its removal raises broader concerns about historical erasure and the future of military recognition for marginalized groups.