In a move aimed at restoring historical military legacies, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has announced that Fort Moore, Georgia, will once again be known as Fort Benning.

This time, however, the base will be named in honor of Army Cpl. Fred G. Benning, a World War I hero who was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his valor in combat.

“This change underscores the installation’s storied history of service to the United States of America, honors the warfighter ethos, and recognizes the heroes who have trained at the installation for decades and will continue to train on its storied ranges,” Pentagon Press Secretary John Ullyot stated.

Originally designated as Fort Benning after Confederate Brig. Gen. Henry L. Benning, the base underwent a renaming in 2023 to honor Army Lt. Gen. Harold G. “Hal” Moore and his wife, Julia Moore.

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Hal Moore, a legendary military leader, was best known for commanding the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment during the pivotal Battle of Ia Drang in 1965, an experience he later chronicled alongside reporter Joseph Galloway in the book We Were Soldiers Once … And Young.

Julia Moore was recognized for her contributions to military family advocacy and casualty notification reform.

Despite these previous redesignations, Secretary Hegseth has made clear his intent to reverse the changes made to nine Army bases that were originally named for Confederate figures.

This latest renaming follows last month’s decision to restore the name Fort Bragg in North Carolina, though now honoring Army Pfc. Roland L. Bragg, a paratrooper decorated with the Silver Star and Purple Heart for his heroism in World War II’s Battle of the Bulge.

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“We’re not done there,” Hegseth told reporters at a February 11 press conference. “There’s a reason I said ‘Bragg’ and ‘Benning’ when I walked into the Pentagon on Day 1. But it’s not just Bragg and Benning. There are a lot of other service members that have connections, and we’re going to do our best to restore it. It’s an honor to do so.”

Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll will oversee the immediate implementation of Hegseth’s directive to rename Fort Moore as Fort Benning.

The recognition of Cpl. Fred G. Benning’s sacrifice in World War I aligns with the Army’s core values and ensures that future generations of soldiers are aware of his extraordinary courage.

On October 9, 1918, Cpl. Benning was serving in France as part of a machine-gun company attached to the 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division.

When his platoon commander was killed and two senior noncommissioned officers were incapacitated, Benning took command. Leading 20 soldiers under intense enemy fire, he successfully guided them in capturing their objective during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, a key campaign in the final months of the war.

“CPL Benning was the living embodiment of the Infantryman’s Creed: He was ‘swift, determined and courageous, armed with a fierce will to win,’” said Army spokeswoman Cynthia Smith.

“Fort Benning, home of the Army’s Maneuver Center of Excellence, trains thousands of Infantry, Armor, and Ranger warfighters to answer their nation’s call. Secretary Hegseth’s directive honors the warrior ethos and recognizes the heroes who have trained at the installation for decades.”

Hegseth’s efforts to reestablish the historical identities of key military installations reflect a broader initiative to ensure that the Army’s legacy remains true to its warriors and their sacrifices.

While Fort Benning and Fort Bragg have been prioritized, Hegseth hinted that more changes may be forthcoming as his administration continues to review other bases affected by previous renaming efforts.

“As we rename Fort Benning, I further direct the Army to honor the legacy of Lieutenant General Harold (Hal) Moore’s storied military service and Ms. Julia (Julie) Moore’s family and casualty notification advocacy in a manner that celebrates their significant contributions to the local community and the Army,” Hegseth emphasized in a memo.

As these redesignations unfold, they serve as a reminder of the military’s evolving approach to history—balancing reverence for past service members while ensuring that today’s soldiers train under banners that honor heroism, sacrifice, and service to the United States of America.

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