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Pentagon Reverts Fort Liberty Back to Fort Bragg
The U.S. Department of Defense has decided to rename the military base Fort Liberty back to Fort Bragg, undoing a previous resolution made by a congressionally appointed commission aimed at renaming installations that commemorate Confederate leaders.
In a move announced via a memo from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the Army base will bear the name Fort Bragg again. However, this iteration will commemorate Private First Class Roland L. Bragg rather than the original namesake, General Braxton Bragg, a Confederate military figure. Private Bragg was recognized with a Silver Star for his valor during the Battle of the Bulge in World War II.
“This decision reflects the installation’s proud history of honoring selfless service and sacrifice in defense of the nation,” stated Pentagon Press Secretary John Ullyot.
NBC News was the first to reveal that the Defense Department was reviewing the possibility of reinstating the original name.
Prior to the recent decision, Roland L. Bragg was among the names proposed for the base’s new designation. However, officials had ultimately selected Fort Liberty at that time rather than naming it after an individual.
During his campaign, former President Donald Trump openly criticized the previous renaming. Speaking at a rally in Fayetteville, North Carolina, close to the military installation, he remarked, “We did win two world wars from Fort Bragg, right?” and asserted his intention to “bring our country back.” This reflects the sentiment of some local residents who feel a deep connection to the base’s historical significance.
Before taking on the role of defense secretary, Hegseth publicly voiced that the base’s name should not have been changed at all. In promoting his book “War on Warriors,” he stated, “We should change it back because legacy matters. My uncle served at Bragg. I served at Bragg. It breaks a generational link.”
Upon entering the Pentagon, Hegseth referred to Fort Liberty and Fort Moore by their former names, reemphasizing the sentiments of many who felt the name change was misguided.
Fort Bragg and Fort Benning were among the nine military bases flagged by the Naming Commission, which was established by Congress to rename locations named after Confederate leaders.
The movement to rename bases gained momentum through consecutive defense authorization bills, which first prohibited military branches from naming installations after Confederates and then established the Naming Commission. Although former President Trump vetoed a defense bill in 2020—partly due to its base renaming clauses—his veto was overridden by congressional action. Even so, military branches like the Army retain the authority to rename bases, provided they do not honor Confederate figures.
Notably, Fort Bragg is home to key U.S. Army units, including the elite 82nd Airborne Division, renowned for its rapid deployment capabilities, often within 18 hours of an alert.
A formal ceremony to rename Fort Bragg to Fort Liberty took place in June 2023. The Naming Commission had estimated that the transition would initially incur costs exceeding $6 million, although the financial impact of reverting to Fort Bragg remains uncertain. Hegseth’s memo has instructed the Army to work on timelines and resources needed to facilitate this name change.
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