In a significant move, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has decided, for the second time, to revert the name of a U.S. military base in Georgia back to Fort Benning. This decision undermines the earlier 2023 directive from the Biden administration to replace names that honored Confederate figures at nine Army bases. The Pentagon is now focused on naming these bases after different service members who share the same names as the Confederate leaders they previously celebrated.
Originally named in honor of Brig. Gen. Henry L. Benning, a distinguished Confederate officer and staunch opponent of abolition during the Civil War, Fort Benning is poised for a shift. It will now salute Cpl. Fred G. Benning, a hero recognized for his valor during World War I in France, specifically in October 1918. Cpl. Benning led his troops with distinction after their platoon leader was slain, earning him the prestigious Distinguished Service Cross.
However, these recent nomenclature changes have ignited a debate, questioning the military’s decision to overlook prominent figures like Lt. Gen. Harold Gregory Moore Jr., who played a pivotal role during the Vietnam War. Moore also received the Distinguished Service Cross for his courage in the Battle of Ia Drang. His wife, Julia Moore, was instrumental in setting up teams responsible for notifying families of military casualties in person.
Last month, Hegseth restored the original name of another military base in North Carolina to Fort Bragg, forecasting further alterations. Initially rechristened Fort Liberty in 2023, Fort Bragg originally honored Gen. Braxton Bragg, a Confederate general whose legacy is linked to his ownership of slaves and defeats in critical Civil War battles, contributing to the Confederacy’s ultimate failure. The base now recognizes Pfc. Roland L. Bragg, an esteemed World War II veteran lauded for his bravery with a Silver Star and Purple Heart earned at the Battle of the Bulge.
The financial implications of these renamings remain uncertain as the Trump administration seeks fiscal reductions through Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency. The Naming Commission estimated, back in August 2022, that reverting Fort Benning to Fort Moore could involve costs around $4.9 million, with potential for additional expenses. The transformation of Fort Bragg was projected to cost approximately $8 million, but precise, updated financial figures are still pending.
Hegseth has defended the decision to return to historic names, emphasizing their significance to the troops who have served there over the years. He expressed his commitment to referring to the bases by their original names from his first day at the Pentagon, asserting: “There’s a reason I said Bragg and Benning when I walked into the Pentagon on day one. But it’s not just Bragg and Benning. There are a lot of other service members that have connections. And we’re going to do our best to restore it.”
The effort to identify new honorees underscores the diligent work by Army and defense leaders in selecting service members whose names match those of the former Confederate honorees and who also possess recognized records of bravery and military commendation.
