VA official initially called for removal of famed V-J Day photo from facilities
David Wells, a former New York Yankees star and World Series champion, ripped a Veterans Affairs official who was responsible for a since-rescinded memo that directed the removal of the iconic V-J Day Times Square photograph from VA health care centers.
Assistant Under Secretary for Health Operations RimaAnn Nelson, who has since come under fire from Republican lawmakers, sent the memo.
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David Wells blasted the official who sought to have the iconic V-J Day Times Square photo removed from VA health care centers. (Keith Torrie/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images/File)
Wells did not hold back his thoughts in a post on X.
"What a Disgusting Human Being this woman is. Theirs (sic) no other word to describe her," he wrote on X.
The memo called for the photo of the Navy sailor kissing a woman on V-J Day in 1945 to be removed from VA medical buildings because it doesn’t foster a "more trauma-informed environment that promotes psychological safety."
GOP LAWMAKERS RIP VA FOR MEMO TO REMOVE ICONIC WWII VICTORY KISS PHOTO, DEMAND AUTHOR BE FIRED
David Wells called the VA official "a Disgusting Human Being" in a social media post. (Peter Muhly/AFP via Getty Images/File)
"This action is promoted by the recognition that the photograph, which depicts a non-consensual act, is inconsistent with the VA's no-tolerance policy towards sexual harassment and assault, as outlined in VA Handbook," the memo reads.
Veteran Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough overrode the memo on Tuesday. A VA spokesperson confirmed to Fox News Digital this week that the memo was sent out but should not have been, and it has been rescinded.
An American sailor kisses a uniformed nurse in Times Square to celebrate the victory over Japan on Aug. 14, 1945. (LIFE/Shutterstock)
As the lawmakers called for Nelson’s removal, McDonough defended her, saying, "Rima has dedicated her career to serving Veterans. We are fortunate to have her at VA, and she will remain at VA."
Fox News’ Brianna Herlihy and Chris Pandolfo contributed to this report.
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Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.
