Pentagon Reverses Renaming of Two Army Bases, Sparking Controversy

Pentagon Reverses Renaming of Fort Moore, Sparking Controversy

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has reversed the renaming of Fort Moore in Georgia, returning it to its original name, Fort Benning. This marks the second such reversal, following the Pentagon's decision to overturn the Biden administration's 2023 renaming of nine Army bases to remove Confederate leaders' names.

The move to rename Fort Benning back to its original name has sparked controversy. The original renaming process sought to honor figures like Lt. Gen. Harold Gregory Moore Jr. and his wife, Julia. However, the decision to replace their names with those of individuals sharing surnames with Confederate figures has added complexity to the debate.

Hegseth's decision to restore the name of Fort Bragg in North Carolina back to its original name last month was also met with controversy. The base had been renamed Fort Liberty in 2023. Its original namesake, Gen. Braxton Bragg, was a Confederate general who owned slaves and lost key Civil War battles.

The Pentagon's decision to reverse the renaming of these bases comes as the Trump administration is trying to find savings through Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency. The Naming Commission estimated it would cost $4.9 million to rename Fort Benning and $8 million to rename Fort Bragg. Updated costs were not available.

Hegseth defended his decision, stating that the original names are a legacy for troops who lived and served at the bases. He also indicated that more name changes are likely to come.

The lower ranks of the new namesakes highlight the extensive research being done by Army and defense leaders to find service members with the same names who have also earned awards for their military action and bravery.