- The Pentagon has renamed Fort Moore in Georgia back to Fort Benning, honoring Cpl. Fred G. Benning, a World War I soldier, instead of Lt. Gen. Hal Moore and his wife Julia. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the change, citing historical continuity.
- Originally named after Confederate Lt. Gen. Henry Benning, Congress required the renaming of Fort Moore in 2023 as part of a wider initiative to eliminate names associated with the Confederacy.
- The decision has drawn mixed reactions, with some expressing disappointment and others supporting the restoration of historical continuity.
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The Pentagon has ordered Fort Moore in Georgia to revert to its former name, Fort Benning, with a new namesake. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Monday, March 3, that the base will now honor Cpl. Fred G. Benning, a World War I soldier who received the Distinguished Service Cross for heroism in battle.
The military originally named the base Fort Benning in honor of Lt. Gen. Henry Benning, a Confederate officer and pro-secession advocate.
In 2023, Congress mandated the renaming of the base from Fort Moore to honor Lt. Gen. Hal Moore, a Vietnam War commander, and his wife, Julia Compton Moore, who advocated for military families. Congress made an effort to remove Confederate-linked names from U.S. military bases.
Who was Cpl. Fred G. Benning?
Fred G. Benning was born in Norfolk, Nebraska, in 1900 and enlisted in the U.S. Army during World War I. He served with the 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces and served time in France in 1918.
During the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, he took command of his unit after the opposing army killed his platoon commander and senior non-commissioned officers. Under heavy fire, he led 20 men to secure their objective, earning him the Distinguished Service Cross, the second-highest U.S. military honor for valor.
After the war, Benning continued his public service as mayor of Neligh, Nebraska, before passing away in 1974.
What led to the renaming of Fort Moore?
Congress enforced the renaming of Fort Benning to Fort Moore in 2023 as part of a congressional mandate to rename nine U.S. Army bases originally named after Confederate officers.
The Naming Commission recommended renaming Fort Moore to recognize both a soldier and a military spouse for the first time in U.S. history. Hal Moore commanded the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment during the Battle of Ia Drang in 1965, one of the earliest major conflicts of the Vietnam War.
His leadership was chronicled in the book “We Were Soldiers Once… and Young,” which was later adapted into the 2002 film “We Were Soldiers,” starring Mel Gibson.
Julia Moore played a crucial role in reforming the Army’s casualty notification process. After witnessing officers deliver impersonal telegrams to grieving families, she advocated for a personal notification system, which the Defense Department later adopted.
How has the public reacted to the decision?
Hegseth described the renaming as a way to honor military service while maintaining historical continuity.
The decision has drawn mixed reactions.
Steve Moore, son of Hal and Julia Moore, expressed disappointment, arguing that his parents’ contributions to military culture and family support warranted continued recognition.
In an essay for War Horse, he wrote, “Those who advocate for changing the name to honor a person solely because they happen to be named ‘Benning’ ignore the values and character of Hal and Julie Moore as well as their courage, competency and dedication to the nation and Army families.”
Army leadership or the White House have not issued a formal response, and the Pentagon has not indicated whether it will consider renaming other bases changed under the Naming Commission’s recommendations.
What happens next?
The U.S. Army will implement the name change immediately, updating signage, official documentation and base operations.
Hegseth also instructed Army officials to find alternative ways to honor Hal and Julia Moore for their contributions.
While Hegseth has publicly referred to Fort Liberty as Fort Bragg, he has not made any indication of further renaming of military bases.
