A priceless globe believed to have been used by General Dwight D. Eisenhower during the Second World War was damaged at the Pentagon earlier this year, Pentagon officials have confirmed. The incident occurred in February when aides to Pete Hegseth, the U.S. Secretary of War, attempted to move the 75-centimeter floor globe into Hegseth’s office without the assistance of specialist historical curators.

The globe, which dates back to the 1930s and was manufactured by the British company George Philip & Son, is thought to have been used by Eisenhower while serving on the General Staff in 1942. According to information displayed alongside the artifact, Eisenhower utilized the globe during his time as chief of the War Plans Division and later the Operations Division, which is now known as the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-35.

Officials reported that the globe’s fragile shell was damaged during the attempted relocation. The spherical portion detached from its metal mounting, which normally allows the globe to rotate, and the damage included a hole where Antarctica had been depicted. Photographs obtained by The Washington Post showed the extent of the breakage.

Typically, moving such delicate historical artifacts within the Pentagon is handled by a team of experts from the U.S. Army Center of Military History. However, reports indicate that a partial government shutdown at the time prevented these specialists from being called upon, leading Hegseth’s staff to take on the task themselves.

A Pentagon spokesperson acknowledged the incident but minimized its significance, stating that accidents happen and confirming that the globe is currently undergoing repairs.

The incident drew public attention and criticism, including a comment from Amy McGrath, a former Marine fighter pilot and Democrat who previously sought election to the U.S. Senate from Kentucky. McGrath remarked, “Pete Hegseth broke Eisenhower’s globe. Just about sums up his tenure at the Pentagon, doesn’t it?”

At this stage, the Pentagon has not provided a detailed timeline for the globe’s restoration. The artifact remains a significant piece of military history, both for its association with Eisenhower and for its representation of strategic planning during a pivotal time in World War II.