On February 11, 2025, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the military base Fort Liberty in North Carolina to be reverted back to its original name, Fort Bragg. This decision contradicts a congressional measure that led to the renaming of the base in 2023 as part of an initiative to remove names associated with Confederate figures.
- Fort Liberty renamed back to Fort Bragg
- Name change contradicts Congressional measure
- New namesake honors WWII veteran Roland Bragg
- Hegseth signed directive during European flight
- Trump pledged to revert base name
- Base home to 52,000 military personnel
Hegseth announced that the base would now honor World War II veteran Pte Roland L. Bragg instead of Gen Braxton Bragg, a Confederate general. He made this announcement while traveling to Europe on a military plane.
The renaming of Fort Liberty back to Fort Bragg marks a significant shift in policy regarding military installations named after Confederate figures. Originally renamed in June 2023, Fort Liberty was part of a broader effort initiated by Congress to address historical injustices linked to the Confederacy. Hegseth’s directive comes as he fulfills a pledge made by former President Donald Trump during his campaign for re-election.
The decision is notable because it disregards recommendations from a 2022 Congressional commission report that specifically advised against using last names associated with Confederate figures when renaming bases. The report characterized Gen Braxton Bragg as “one of the worst generals of the Civil War” and noted his history as a slave owner.
- Fort Liberty was officially renamed from Fort Bragg in June 2023.
- The installation is home to approximately 52,000 personnel.
- It is known for its rapid troop deployment capabilities overseas.
This latest move has reignited debates over how military bases are named and what values they represent. While Hegseth emphasized honoring Pfc. Roland L. Bragg for his heroism during World War II, critics may argue that reverting back undermines efforts toward inclusivity and recognition of historical context within military naming conventions.
The return of the name Fort Bragg highlights ongoing tensions surrounding historical narratives in the united states‘ military history and raises questions about future naming policies for military installations across the country.
