HEGSETH SIGNS MEMORANDUM RENAMING FORT MOORE BACK TO FORT BENNING
In a significant move, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that Fort Moore in Georgia will revert to its original name, Fort Benning. Defending the name change, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says that it’s after an enlisted World War I Soldier and Distinguished Service Cross recipient, instead of the Confederate general that the base was previously named after. Keep reading to learn more about the most recent base name change.
Hegseth Signs a Memo Authorizing Base Name Change
On March 3rd, 2025, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth signed a memorandum renaming Fort Moore in Georgia to Fort Benning.
In his memorandum he stated, “Pursuant to my authority as Secretary of Defense, Title 10, United States Code, Section 113, I direct the U.S. Army to change the name of Fort Moore, Georgia, to Fort Benning, • Georgia, in honor of Corporal (CPL) Fred G. Benning, who served with extraordinary heroism during World War I with the United States Army, and in recognition of the installation's storied history of service to the United States of America.”
Hegseth went on to explain,
“The new name pays tribute to Corporal (CPL) Fred G. Benning, who was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his extraordinary heroism in action during World War I with the U.S. Army in France in 1918.
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.”
“The Army awarded CPL Benning the Distinguished Service Cross for his extraordinary heroism in action south of Exermont, France, on October 9, 1918,” read the memo signed by Hegseth dictating the name change.
He continued stating, “After the enemy killed his platoon commander and disabled two senior non-commissioned officers, CPL Benning took command of the surviving 20 men of his company, and courageously led them through heavy fire to their assigned objective in support of the Meuse-Argonne Offensive.”
The Fort Moore Name Change Marks Another Army Base Renaming
This decision by Hegseth marks the second Army base that Hegseth has renamed. Last month, he made the announcement that he was renaming Fort Liberty and was changing the base name back to Fort Bragg.
The new Fort Benning is named after Cpl. Fred G. Benning, who served in Europe during World War I, and was then elected as mayor of Neligh, Nebraska. He passed away in May of 1974.
According to Hegseth’s memo, “CPL Benning was the embodiment of the Infantryman’s Creed, as he never failed his country’s trust and fought to the objective to triumph for his unit and his country.”
Established in October 1918 during World War I, the installation was initially named Camp Benning, honoring Brigadier General Henry L. Benning, a Confederate general and Columbus, Georgia, native. The camp served as a training ground for military units before being designated a permanent post in 1920 and renamed Fort Benning in 1922.
Over the decades, Fort Benning became synonymous with the U.S. Army Infantry School and played a pivotal role in training soldiers for various conflicts, earning its reputation as the "Home of the Infantry."
In 2023, as part of a broader initiative to address symbols associated with the Confederacy, the base was renamed Fort Moore. This change honored Lieutenant General Harold "Hal" Moore, a distinguished Vietnam War commander, and his wife, Julia Moore, who was instrumental in transforming the Army's casualty notification process.
Fort Moore (Fort Benning) Says That the Renaming Will Include All Documentation
A statement published by Fort Moore (Fort Benning) on Monday, March 3rd explained that the renaming process will include updating all official documents. This also includes signage, and updating all digital platforms in a “deliberate and phased manner.”
There are plans for an official renaming ceremony to be held. At this time, a date for the ceremony has not yet been determined. Be sure to check back for updates.
Suggested reads:
SHARE:
TAGS:
JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER
Get the latest news and military discounts
