Women veterans from significant conflicts such as the Civil War, World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam War are not exempt from the Defense Department's recent initiatives regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within the U.S. military. The Pentagon's efforts to erase certain narratives surrounding these women's contributions have raised concerns about the historical recognition of female service members in combat roles. This ongoing situation stems from an executive order issued in January 2025 by former President Donald Trump, titled Restoring America's Fighting Force, which mandated the removal of DEI offices from uniformed services.
This executive order was swiftly followed by another directive that compelled the military to eliminate any reference to diversity initiatives. Consequently, the Department of Defense (DoD) has experienced a troubling trend of erasing historical accounts, including the stories of Medal of Honor recipients like Pfc. Harold Gonsalves and Maj. Gen. Charles C. Rogers. Even the Army's website dedicated to the renowned all-Japanese 442nd Regimental Combat Team—the most decorated unit in World War II—was temporarily removed from the internet, though it has since been restored due to public demand.
The U.S. military has historically been a pioneer in acknowledging civil rights, often progressing in this area ahead of broader societal changes. It has celebrated its multicultural heritage and recognized significant milestones—yet the Trump administration's anti-DEI stance has compelled the DoD to systematically erase these acknowledgments, regardless of the valor embodied in these military narratives. Unfortunately, the history of women's contributions in the military is just one of the latest casualties in this campaign.
In a 2024 article by DoD News writer Katie Lange, the stories of 23 female nurses who served on the front lines during the Civil War were highlighted. These women are now interred at Arlington National Cemetery. With the onset of the Civil War, Congress approved the hiring of female nurses, a groundbreaking decision in a profession that was predominantly male. Many women volunteered in both official and unofficial capacities, with some serving throughout the war and later receiving veterans' pensions.
Among these brave women were figures like Anna Platt, who tirelessly cared for the wounded at the 1,000-bed hospital in Washington's Armory Square; Adelaide Spurgeon, who worked in a smallpox hospital, risking her life to comfort patients; Caroline Burghardt, who bravely attended to soldiers during significant battles like Antietam and Gettysburg; and Sarah E. Thompson, who notably led Union troops to capture a rebel general while behind enemy lines. Although the DoD's narrative regarding these Civil War nurses has been altered and labeled as DEI, their stories persist through the Internet Archive Wayback Machine.
The USS Constitution, launched in 1797, holds the title of the oldest commissioned warship still afloat and is notable for having sunk an enemy warship in combat. Each year, over 500,000 tourists visit this historic vessel to witness Navy traditions. The appointment of Cmdr. Billie Farrell as the first woman to command the USS Constitution marked a pivotal moment in naval history. Before this remarkable achievement, Farrell served on various modern ships, including the guided-missile cruisers USS Vella Gulf, USS San Jacinto, and USS Vicksburg.
While Katie Lange documented this significant event in a DoD News Making History feature on March 25, 2022, the story has since been removed and reclassified under DEI. Nevertheless, it remains accessible through syndication and the Internet Archive.
On October 6, 2021, Operation HerStory and Honor Flight Chicago organized a historic flight for 93 women veterans from World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War to visit Washington, D.C. During this unforgettable trip, they explored their respective war memorials, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and other significant sites. One of the participants, Bette Horstman, a World War II Army veteran who served as a medical officer, expressed her profound emotions, stating, "You have a camaraderie; you share something that the average neighbor doesn't have."
This momentous event, which received national attention, has been labeled by the Department of Defense as DEI, leading to the removal of writer Crista Mary Mack's coverage from the archives. Fortunately, the story remains preserved on the Internet Archive Wayback Machine, ensuring that the contributions of these women veterans are not completely forgotten.
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