Pentagon staff damage historic Eisenhower WWII globe

Aides to U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth severely damaged a historic 30-inch floor globe used by General Dwight D. Eisenhower during World War II. The incident occurred on February 3 during an attempt to relocate the artifact to Hegseth’s office.

According to reports from The Washington Post, the staff attempted the move themselves rather than waiting for professional curators from the U.S. Army Center of Military History. The specialists were unavailable at the time due to a partial government shutdown. During the unauthorized transfer, the heavy object was dropped onto its wooden pedestal, resulting in a puncture several inches wide near the Antarctic region and causing the sphere to detach from its rotating metal mounting.

The U.S. Army confirmed the damage, while Pentagon officials dismissed the event as an “inconsequential non-story,” stating that “accidents happen” and the item is being repaired. It remains unclear whether Hegseth personally ordered the move or if the decision was made by subordinates. The globe, which dates back to the 1930s, is considered a significant historical artifact tied to Eisenhower’s service as Chief of the War Plans Division.