U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has signed a memorandum renaming Fort Liberty in North Carolina to Fort Bragg. However, unlike its original namesake, Confederate General Braxton Bragg, the base will now honor Private First Class (Pfc.) Roland L. Bragg, a World War II hero recognized for his bravery during the Battle of the Bulge.
Background of the Renaming
One of the biggest U.S. military bases is Fort Bragg, which was named after Confederate General Braxton Bragg in 1918. The base was, however renamed to Fort Liberty as part of the removal of the names associated with the Confederates from the U.S. military bases in 2023. This followed a congressional mandate made in 2020 to rid the U.S. military of all Confederate-related commemorations.
This was part of a larger effort nationwide to rethink symbols of history and make sure that military bases were named after people in step with American values rather than the legacy of the Confederacy.
Secretary Hegseth has recently opted to change the name back, although this time to a new namesake: Pfc. Roland L. Bragg.
A new Fort Bragg will rise after restoration, to no longer remind anyone of General Braxton Bragg, but of the World War II hero Pfc. Roland L. Bragg, who, in his services with the 17th Airborne Division, U.S. Army, rendered gallant performances.
Pfc. Bragg received a Silver Star and a Purple Heart for his extraordinary gallantry in the Battle of the Bulge. He was recorded to have saved a wounded fellow soldier under enemy fire, suffering injuries himself in the process. His heroic act was chronicled in the book The Bitter Woods by John Eisenhower, son of former President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Legal and Political Implications
Hegseth’s move strategically works around the 2021 congressional law that prohibits military assets from being named after Confederate figures. The Defense Department is then able to restore the Fort Bragg name by dedicating the base to Pfc. Roland L. Bragg.
During his election period, former President Donald Trump had promised to undo the renaming of Fort Liberty. The above move cements this promise. There are, however, suspected political rows with the decision, where some purport it to be the best thing preserving military heritage, while others criticize it to bring about undermining efforts toward disengagement with Confederate-era associations.
Implementation of the Name Change
Secretary Hegseth has ordered the US Army to provide a timeline of the renaming process, which involves changing signs, official documents, and historical references that are attached to the base.
Fort Bragg remains the home to key military units, including the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division and the U.S. Army Special Operations Command. The renaming ensures continuity in the base’s identity while shifting its historical significance toward honoring an American war hero.
Public Reaction and Ongoing Debate
Renaming has called forth mixed reactions across political and military circles. Some support it because, after years of being renamed, the area is again a name of historical significance, honoring an American hero who served with valor. They feel the legacy of Pfc. Bragg “resonates significantly” with what the U.S. military stands for, and that the original name, Fort Liberty, disrespected the home station’s longstanding identity.
On the other hand, critics say that this move defeats the very purpose of taking down Confederate names from military bases. It is viewed as a political play rather than a sincere attempt to pay homage to military heroes. It also brings into the forefront discussions on how the U.S. should treat historical figures and symbols associated with questionable pasts.
The decision to rename Fort Bragg after honoring a different individual reflects the current debate over historical memory and military heritage in the U.S. While the decision to rename satisfies legal requirements, it also raises the question of how the country should deal with its past. As the changeover occurs, Fort Bragg’s new name will remain a central issue in national debate on history, politics, and military tradition.