WASHINGTON — In a significant move, the U.S. Army has announced the decision to revert seven military bases to their original names. These bases had their names changed in 2023 when they were renamed to distance themselves from connections to Confederate leaders. The reversal comes shortly after Former President Donald Trump hinted at such a decision during a speech at Fort Bragg, which had been renamed Fort Liberty by the Biden administration.
Fort Bragg in North Carolina is the first to regain its original name after circumstances allowed the Army to find another appropriate namesake with the same last name. This change was solidified in February when Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who accompanied Trump, signed the official order.
Expressing surprise over the recent renaming initiatives, Trump remarked, “Can you believe they changed that name in the last administration for a little bit? We’ll forget all about that.” Consequently, in March, Hegseth also overturned the change from Fort Benning to Fort Moore in Georgia.
All seven bases have had their names restored based on identifying historical service members sharing the same surname. These include Fort A.P. Hill, Fort Pickett, and Fort Robert E. Lee in Virginia; Fort Gordon in Georgia; Fort Hood in Texas; Fort Polk in Louisiana; and Fort Rucker in Alabama. This reversion significantly alters the selections made in 2023, which aimed to honor prominent figures such as President Dwight D. Eisenhower, as well as Black soldiers and women. Notably, women no longer feature in the current list of names.
The financial implications of these changes remain unclear, as the costs for updating signage only two years after they were last renewed have not been estimated.
Initially named Fort A.P. Hill after Confederate Gen. Ambrose P. Hill, the installation was renamed Fort Walker in honor of Mary Edwards Walker, a pioneering Civil War doctor and Medal of Honor recipient. It is now set to commemorate three Civil War heroes: Lt. Col. Edward Hill, 1st Sgt. Robert A. Pinn, and Pvt. Bruce Anderson.
Fort Pickett, which was redesignated Fort Barfoot in tribute to Tech Sgt. Van Barfoot, a World War II Medal of Honor recipient, will revert to honoring 1st Lt. Vernon W. Pickett. His bravery was recognized with the Distinguished Service Cross in World War II after taking down enemy positions, evading capture, and ultimately sacrificing his life in battle.
Fort Lee, which briefly became Fort Gregg-Adams to honor Lt. Gen. Arthur J. Gregg and Lt. Col. Charity Adams, now returns to honoring Pvt. Fitz Lee, a Medal of Honor recipient from the Spanish-American War.
Fort Gordon, previously renamed Fort Eisenhower in recognition of the former president’s wartime leadership in Europe, will honor Master Sgt. Gary I. Gordon, who was awarded the Medal of Honor for valor during the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu.
Fort Hood, known as Fort Cavazos in acknowledgment of Gen. Richard Cavazos, the first Hispanic four-star general, is to be renamed for Col. Robert B. Hood, a World War I hero noted for his valiant efforts directing artillery fire.
Fort Polk will return from Fort Johnson, named for Medal of Honor recipient Sgt. William Henry Johnson, to commemorate Silver Star recipient Gen. James H. Polk, who distinguished himself through his leadership in World War II and subsequent roles.
Lastly, Fort Rucker, renamed Fort Novosel in honor of Chief Warrant Officer Michael Novosel, will again take its original name, celebrating Capt. Edward W. Rucker, recognized for his courage in aerial combat during World War I.