On March 4, 2025, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the renaming of Fort Moore in Georgia back to Fort Benning. This decision reverses a previous name change made in 2023 as part of efforts to remove military honors associated with Confederate figures.
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's re-naming efforts
- Fort Moore to be renamed back to Fort Benning
- Previous name honored Confederate general Henry Benning
- Changes part of bipartisan effort against Confederate honors
- New names honor non-Confederate military figures
- Corporal Fred G. Benning recognized for heroism
The renaming is part of Hegseth’s initiative to restore names he associates with American heritage, despite current laws prohibiting the naming of bases after Confederate generals.
The U.S. military has been engaged in discussions regarding the names of its bases since the rise of movements advocating for social justice and historical accountability. In 2023, Fort Moore was renamed as part of a broader bipartisan effort to eliminate references to Confederate leaders who fought against the Union during the Civil War. However, Hegseth views these changes as influenced by “woke” culture and seeks to revert some names back to their original forms.
Key points regarding this renaming include:
- Fort Moore will now honor Corporal Fred G. Benning, recognized for extraordinary heroism during World War I.
- This change comes amidst legal restrictions that prevent naming bases after Confederate generals.
- Hegseth previously announced similar renamings such as returning Fort Liberty in North Carolina back to Fort Bragg but honoring a different individual with the same last name.
Corporal Fred G. Benning was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his bravery during combat in France in 1918 while serving with the united states Army. His actions were pivotal during the Meuse-Argonne offensive, showcasing significant valor under fire.
This recent announcement reflects ongoing tensions surrounding military base names and their historical implications, highlighting differing perspectives on how history should be honored or remembered within military contexts.
The decision to rename Fort Moore back to Fort Benning underscores an evolving dialogue around how military installations honor individuals from America‘s past while navigating contemporary societal values regarding representation and heritage.
