Fort Moore Renamed Again: A Return to History with a Twist
In a significant move, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has announced a renaming of the Georgia military installation known as Fort Moore. This decision marks a return to its original name, Fort Benning, but with a notable change to the namesake. The base, initially named for Confederate figure Henry Benning, will now honor Cpl. Fred G. Benning, a World War I hero.
The decision to rename the base follows a broader initiative, stemming from a congressional mandate in the 2021 defense budget, which sought to remove Confederate names from U.S. military installations. This mandate was part of an effort to eliminate tributes to those who opposed the Union during the Civil War.
Former President Donald Trump had vetoed the legislation during his term, but Congress successfully overrode this veto. This action has led to a series of renamings across the country, despite Trump’s attempts to reverse these changes, including the recent shift from Fort Moore back to Fort Benning.
The newly recognized Cpl. Fred G. Benning was celebrated for his valor during the Meuse-Argonne offensive in France, a pivotal battle during World War I. According to a Pentagon news release, Benning was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his leadership and bravery after his platoon suffered casualties, leading a group of 20 soldiers to capture a crucial objective.
Previously in 2023, the base was named Fort Moore after Lt. Gen. Hal Moore, a decorated Vietnam War commander, and his wife, Julia Moore. Hal Moore was widely respected for his leadership during the Battle of Ia Drang Valley in 1965, an event chronicled in the book and film “We Were Soldiers.” He was also a proponent of racial integration within the Army, setting the stage for future equal opportunity policies.
Julia Moore played a vital role in transforming the military’s notification process for fallen soldiers, advocating for a more humane approach that required in-person notifications by uniformed officers, rather than impersonal telegrams. Her efforts significantly improved the way families of service members were treated during times of loss.
The base’s return to the name Fort Benning, with its new honoree, Cpl. Fred G. Benning, reflects a commitment to honoring American heroes without Confederate ties. This change aligns with the recommendations of a commission tasked with the renaming process, which emphasized avoiding names that correspond with the original Confederate honorees.
Fort Benning continues to serve as a crucial center for Army training, hosting basic training for infantry and cavalry, as well as the esteemed Ranger school. The renaming underscores the base’s enduring legacy and its evolution in alignment with contemporary values.
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