Independent Commission Puts Forth New Names for Army Bases with Confederate Ties

In yet another push to replace Confederate history with modern day relevance, a special naming commission created by Congress announced this week the new name suggestions for several U.S. military installations. Following visits to various installations and “listening sessions” with military commanders and community leaders, the Naming Commission created a shortlist from among more than 34,000 submissions from the public. Nine Army installations previously named for Confederate servicemen will receive new names that “embody the best of the United States Army and America.”

Congressman Anthony Brown, who introduced the bipartisan legislation, regarded the effort as “another step in an honest accounting of our history and an expression that we continue to strive to form a more perfect union.” The commission he helped to create was charged with providing recommendations to rename DoD installations “that commemorate the Confederate States of America or those who voluntarily served with the Confederacy.” The commission is to submit a written report to Congress by October 1 of this year.

Fort Bragg’s name will soon become a thing of the past, with the proposed new name of Fort Liberty. Home to the historic 82^nd Airborne Division, the new name serves to replace Confederate ties with a commemoration of the American value of liberty.

Proposed name changes for the other 8 installations honor the achievements and memories of various figures in military history. Fort Benning, Georgia would become Fort Moore, named for the service and sacrifice of Hal Moore and his wife, Julia. Moore led a battalion of men in combat during the Vietnam War, and his wife is known for her significant contributions on behalf of military families.

Another major Army installation to be renamed is Fort Hood in Texas. Its new name would honor General Richard Cavazos, recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions during combat in the Korean War. Cavazos served also in the Vietnam War, once again demonstrating great valor as commander of an infantry battalion.

Name changes considered for the other six installations include:

• Fort Gordon, GA → Fort Eisenhower (Army General Dwight Eisenhower)
• Fort A.P. Hill, VA → Fort Walker (Dr. Mary Edwards Walker)
• Fort Lee, VA → Fort Gregg-Adams (Lt. General Arthur J. Gregg, Lt. Col. Charity Adams)
• Fort Pickett, VA → Fort Barfoot (Tech Sgt. Van T. Barfoot)
• Fort Polk, LA → Fort Johnson (Sgt. William Henry Johnson)
• Fort Rucker, AL → Fort Novosel (CW4 Michael J. Novosel Sr.)

The Secretary of Defense is expected to implement confirmed name changes no later than January 1, 2024.

Published by

Aly Blake   Email

Aly is a military spouse and mom to two. She has a special interest in international security and foreign affairs, having lived overseas, worked with Sister Cities International and served as a commissioning editor for an international relations website. Aly holds a Masters in Global Studies and International Relations from Northeastern University and currently resides in Tennessee.