U.S. Defense Department Stirs Outrage by Removing Photos of Ira Hayes, Navajo Code Talkers

The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) faced a barrage of criticism from tribal communities across Arizona and the nation after quietly erasing references to Native American soldiers from a number of federal websites. The critics included Gila River Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis, whose voice appeared prominently in multiple media stories, and helped lead to a change of heart by DoD after the intense backlash.

The removed content – reported by the Associated Press and other media outlets beginning on March 18 – included tributes honoring Native American heroes like the renowned Navajo Code Talkers and celebrated U.S. Marine Ira Hayes, an esteemed member of the Gila River Indian Community. Hayes has long been celebrated for his iconic role in the raising of the American flag on Mount Suribachi during the Battle of Iwo Jima in 1945—one of the most powerful and enduring images from World War II.

Gov. Lewis strongly denounced the mistreatment of Native American soldiers and their patriotism and courage in a statement and in interviews with a number of media outlets. 

“It’s unacceptable and extremely unfortunate that the many vital contributions of Native American soldiers—including Ira Hayes’ bravery during the Battle of Iwo Jima—appeared to have been disregarded by the Department of Defense and other military agencies,” said Lewis in his statement. “To be clear, recognizing the patriotism and courage of Native American soldiers has nothing to do with any type of DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) initiative. It’s simply an offering of respect for extraordinary service and bravery in the line of duty.”

Lewis concluded by demanding, “Every single reference that has been scrubbed should be returned to these websites as soon as possible.”

The removals appear to be linked to a broader federal directive aimed at eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives from U.S. government operations. Despite Pentagon spokesperson John Ullyot’s assurances that such removals were inadvertent and would be corrected immediately, the continued absence of references to Hayes will continue to be monitored by Community leadership.

The Pentagon restored references to the Code Talkers by March 19. The Navajo soldiers, who devised an unbreakable code based on their native language, were critical in helping the Allies secure victory during World War II. 

“The restoration of the Navajo Code Talkers’ articles is a necessary step, but it does not erase the harm caused by their initial removal,” Navajo Nation Speaker Crystalyne Curley told the Arizona Republic. “The service of the Code Talkers was crucial to the success of World War II, and their legacy must be continually recognized and honored, beyond any political agenda.”

As of March 20, information honoring Ira Hayes remained notably absent from some military websites, drawing ongoing frustration and demands for immediate corrective action from tribal communities and advocates.

“He is a hero,” Gov. Lewis said of Hayes in an interview with Phoenix radio station KJZZ. “He is a native son of not just the Gila River Indian Community, but across Indian Country.

The picture of Hayes and five fellow Marines had previously been labeled an “iconic image” by military leaders. The famous photograph, taken Feb. 23, 1945 by Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal, won a Pulitzer Prize. The picture served as a model for a statue that stands as a centerpiece of the Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington, Virginia.

To capitalize on the popularity of Hayes and the Marines in the photo, the Pentagon sent the men on a national tour to sell war bonds. Hayes, later the subject of a hit song recorded by Johnny Cash, died at the age of 32 in Bapchule.