Hegseth ordesr Fort Liberty to revert back to Fort Bragg
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made a significant announcement on Monday, directing the U.S. Army to change the name of Fort Liberty back to Fort Bragg, with a unique twist. Hegseth signed a memo aboard a U.S. Air Force C-17 before landing in Stuttgart, Germany, ordering the renaming of the North Carolina base to Fort Roland L. Bragg, in honor of a different individual than the previous Confederate general namesake.
The decision to change the name of the military installation was part of a broader Department of Defense initiative in 2023, following the 2020 George Floyd protests, to rename military installations that bore the names of Confederate soldiers. Originally named in 1918 for Gen. Braxton Bragg, a Confederate general from Warrenton, North Carolina, the base’s renaming aims to pay tribute to Pfc. Roland L. Bragg, a World War II hero who displayed exceptional courage during the Battle of the Bulge.
PFC. Bragg’s actions, as detailed in the memo, included saving a fellow soldier’s life by commandeering an enemy ambulance and driving it 20 miles to transport the wounded soldier to an allied hospital in Belgium. The new name, Fort Roland L. Bragg, serves as a testament to the personal courage and selfless service of all those who have trained to defend the nation.
Fort Bragg, now Fort Roland L. Bragg, is one of the largest military installations in the world, housing the Army’s renowned 82nd Airborne Division and the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). The renaming directive also affected several other Army posts, such as Fort Benning, renamed as Fort Moore after Lt. Gen. Hal Moore, and Fort Hood, now Fort Cavazos in honor of Gen. Richard Edward Cavazos.
Retired U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Ty Seidule, during a commission meeting, highlighted that the choice of Fort Liberty as the new name emphasized the enduring American value of liberty. The renaming of military installations reflects a commitment to honoring individuals who have demonstrated courage and sacrifice in service to the nation.
The decision to revert the name of Fort Liberty back to its original designation as Fort Bragg signifies a meaningful tribute to the legacy of American heroes and the values they uphold. This renaming initiative underscores the enduring commitment of the U.S. military to honor those who have served with distinction and valor.
