Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth signed an order on Monday reinstating the name Fort Bragg for a prominent special operations forces base in North Carolina. The base had been renamed Fort Liberty in 2023 under the Biden administration as part of a nationwide initiative to remove military base names associated with Confederate leaders.
Originally, Fort Bragg was named after Gen. Braxton Bragg, a Confederate general from Warrenton, North Carolina. Bragg was known for owning slaves and losing critical Civil War battles, which contributed to the Confederacy’s defeat. However, the Pentagon has justified the renaming by honoring a different individual—Pfc. Roland L. Bragg, a World War II hero who displayed exceptional bravery during the Battle of the Bulge. Pfc. Bragg was awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart for his actions.
Pentagon spokesman John Ullyot stated that the decision reflects the base’s tradition of recognizing individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary service and sacrifice for the nation. By choosing a World War II soldier as the base’s namesake, the Pentagon was able to navigate legal restrictions that prohibit the military from naming bases after Confederate figures.
Hegseth made the announcement in a video posted on X, declaring, “That’s right. Bragg is back!” He had already referred to the base as Fort Bragg on his first day as defense secretary in an exchange with reporters, signaling his intent to restore the name. Many service members and locals had continued to call the base Fort Bragg despite the official change to Fort Liberty, indicating that the new name had not fully replaced the historical identity of the base.
The decision to revert the name has drawn mixed reactions. Supporters argue it preserves military tradition and honors a decorated World War II soldier, while critics view it as undermining efforts to remove Confederate-linked names from U.S. military bases. The Pentagon has not provided additional comments on whether further changes to military base names are being considered.
