DoD to Rename Several Military Bases by 2024

The Army is working toward renaming bases that have honored Confederate leaders for decades, as part of a large effort by the DoD to eliminate references to Confederate military leaders and commemoration of Confederate victories.

Established by Congress in the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act, the Naming Commission, a committee formed to examine all Confederate references across the military, recommended nine bases for renaming, including Fort Bragg, Fort Benning, Fort Gordon, and Fort Hood.

The panel, comprised of former military and civilian leaders, visited installations nationwide to gain insight and feedback from soldiers and the community to better understand sentiment, preferences, and more.

The new designations are set to be finished by the end of the year, with the majority of the changes happening this summer.

Bases that are being renamed include:

Fort Benning, GA –> Fort Moore, GA

Named after Army Lt. Gen. Hal Moore and his wife, Julia Compton Moore. Hal Moore received the Distinguished Service Cross for heroism in the Vietnam War. Julia Moore was an advocate for military families.

Fort Bragg, NC —> Fort Liberty, NC

Named in commemoration of the American value of liberty.

Fort Gordon, GA —> Fort Eisenhower, GA*

Named after President Dwight D. Eisenhower, a five-star Army general who served as the Supreme Allied Commander of forces in Europe during World War II.

Fort A.P. Hill, VA —> Fort Walker, VA*

Named after Dr. Mary Edwards Walker, the first female surgeon in the Civil War, and the only woman awarded the Medal of Honor.

Fort Hood, TX —> Fort Cavazos, TX

Named after Army Gen. Richard E. Cavazos, who received the Distinguished Service Cross for heroism in the Vietnam War.

Fort Lee, VA —> Fort Gregg-Adams, VA*

Named after Lt. Gen. Arthur Gregg and Lt. Col. Charity Adams. Gregg was a key figure in the integration of black soldiers into the Army. Adams was one of the highest-ranking female soldiers in World War II.

Fort Pickett, VA —> Fort Barfoot, VA

Named after Army Tech Sgt. Van T. Barfoot, who received the Medal of Honor for his actions with the 45th Infantry Division during World War II in Italy in 1944.

Fort Polk, LA —> Fort Johnson, LA

Named after Army Sgt. William Henry Johnson, who received the Medal of Honor posthumously for action in the Argonne Forest of France during World War I.

Fort Rucker, AL — Fort Novosel, AL

Named after Army Chief Warrant Officer 4 Michael J. Novosel, an aviator who received the Medal of Honor for a medevac mission under fire in Vietnam where he saved 29 soldiers.

*Has not been renamed yet

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