Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has once again reversed a U.S. military base renaming, announcing that Fort Moore in Georgia will return to its former name, Fort Benning. This is the second such reversal, reflecting the Pentagon’s ongoing push to undo the Biden administration’s 2023 decision to rename nine Army bases that previously honored Confederate leaders. The latest changes require identifying new honorees who share surnames with the original Confederate namesakes.
Originally named after Confederate Brig. Gen. Henry L. Benning, the base will now honor Cpl. Fred G. Benning, a World War I hero awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for leading troops through heavy enemy fire in 1918. The move has stirred controversy, as it effectively overturns the 2023 decision to honor Lt. Gen. Harold Gregory Moore Jr. and his wife, Julia. Moore was a decorated Vietnam War leader, and Julia played a key role in establishing in-person casualty notification teams for military families.
Last month, Hegseth also restored the name of Fort Bragg in North Carolina, which had been renamed Fort Liberty in 2023. Initially named for Confederate Gen. Braxton Bragg, the base now honors Pfc. Roland L. Bragg, a World War II Silver Star and Purple Heart recipient. Hegseth defended the decision, emphasizing the historical legacy of the original names for those who served there.
The cost of these renaming reversals remains unclear. The Naming Commission had estimated renaming Fort Benning as Fort Moore would cost $4.9 million, while changing Fort Bragg to Fort Liberty was projected at $8 million. Updated figures have not been released, but the expenses come as the Trump administration seeks budget cuts through Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency.
Hegseth, who signaled more name restorations could follow, said his decision was rooted in respect for military heritage. “There’s a reason I said Bragg and Benning when I walked into the Pentagon on day one,” he stated. The trend of selecting new honorees with the same last names as Confederate figures underscores the extensive research being conducted to maintain historical connections while recognizing valor in service.
