Latino Service Members Like the Borinqueneers Are Quietly Being Erased From Arlington Cemetery’s Website 

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Credit: Unknown member of the US Army, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The removal of historical content from Arlington National Cemetery’s website has raised concerns about the accessibility of information on Black, Latino, and women service members. Pages that once detailed their contributions, along with educational materials on Medal of Honor recipients and notable graves, are no longer available through the cemetery’s main navigation. The changes align with recent executive orders, which directed the military to review race and gender-related content. 

This discovery was first made by Task & Purpose, a digital media company that covers military and veterans’ affairs, providing news, analysis, and commentary on issues affecting service members, veterans, and national security. 

Making It Harder to Learn About the Borinqueneers and Other Heroes

Arlington National Cemetery, one of the most historically significant burial sites in the United States, has long served as a resource for those seeking to learn about military history. Until recently, the cemetery’s website featured dedicated pages on the achievements of Black, Latino, and women service members, as well as lessons on the role of civil rights in military history. These pages have now been removed from public view, though some remain accessible through direct links or archived versions.  

Among the removed content were educational sections detailing the contributions of the Borinqueneers, a Puerto Rican regiment in the U.S. Army that played a significant role in the Korean War. The 65th Infantry Regiment was composed primarily of Puerto Rican soldiers who served despite facing segregation and discrimination. In 2014, they were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in recognition of their service. 

Other notable figures whose information is now harder to access include boxing champion Joe Louis, General Colin Powell, and Supreme Court Chief Justice Thurgood Marshall. Additionally, pages on historic sites within Arlington, such as Freedman’s Village and Section 27, which hold significance in Black military history, have been delinked from the main site. 

Impact on Military History Accessibility and the Arlington National Cemetery

The removal of these materials has implications for historical research and public education. Arlington National Cemetery has served as a primary source of information on military service, and changes to its website alter how this history is presented. Some references to civil rights and racial justice in military history have also been modified, with language shifting toward general acknowledgments of service rather than specific historical contexts. 

This follows a broader trend of reevaluating how military history is documented and shared. The decision to remove or alter content reflects an ongoing reassessment of diversity, equity, and inclusion policies within the armed forces. The Army has stated that these actions are part of its efforts to comply with executive orders and ensure consistency across its platforms. 

The Role of Public Records in Military Legacy

Arlington National Cemetery is the final resting place for more than 400,000 service members, including Medal of Honor recipients, historical figures, and veterans from every major conflict in U.S. history. Its website has provided educational resources for researchers, educators, and the general public seeking to understand the legacy of those buried there. 

The changes to Arlington’s online archives raise questions about how military history is preserved and made available. While some materials remain accessible through search engines or archival websites, their removal from Arlington’s main navigation affects their visibility. For now, many wait to see if this will be reversed.  

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