Defense Department removes Sgt. William Carney's biography

The U.S. Defense Department has removed a webpage about Black Civil War hero Sgt. William Carney. This page highlighted Carney's achievements and his distinction as a Medal of Honor winner. It also served as inspiration for a character in the film "Glory." Instead of the biography, users now find a 404 error page. This change is part of a larger effort led by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. He has prioritized eliminating themes of diversity, equity, and inclusion from the department's public platforms. Hegseth, who was appointed by former President Donald Trump, believes that these themes have divided the military. The Military news site Task & Purpose reported the deletion on Wednesday. Along with Carney's biography, another page featuring baseball legend Jackie Robinson has also disappeared from the Defense Department's website. Despite this removal, Carney's story remains available on the U.S. Army's website. Carney was born into slavery and later joined the first official Black unit of the Union Army in 1863. He is remembered for his courageous act during the assault on Fort Wagner, where he carried the flag even after being wounded. This moment was famously depicted in the movie "Glory." Hegseth has expressed his views on DEI, arguing that it creates division rather than unity among military personnel.