In a historic move, the U.S. Army has completed the process of renaming nine installations that were previously named after Confederate generals. This significant step marks a shift in honoring figures who better represent the values and history of the United States.
The renaming process culminated with the redesignation of Fort Gordon in Georgia to Fort Eisenhower, in a ceremony that took place on Friday. This change is part of the Defense Department’s efforts to comply with the recommendations of the congressionally mandated Naming Commission, which was tasked with identifying and renaming items in the U.S. military that commemorated Confederate figures. The commission’s final recommendations included renaming nine installations across the country.
Fort Gordon, which was named after Major Gen. John Gordon, a key figure in the Confederate Army and later a U.S. senator and governor of Georgia, now honors President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Eisenhower was an Army five-star general who led the D-Day invasion of Normandy during World War II and later served as the President of the United States. The Naming Commission highlighted Eisenhower’s “extensive military experience as a combined and allied commander” as a fitting tribute for the base, which is home to the U.S. Army’s Signal Corps, Cyber Command, and Cyber Center of Excellence. Interestingly, it was also at this installation where Eisenhower delivered his farewell remarks to the U.S. military after his presidency.
The renaming process has encompassed various installations across the country. These include:
- Fort Benning, Georgia, now Fort Moore after Lt. Gen. Hal and Julia Moore.
- Fort Bragg, North Carolina, now Fort Liberty, symbolizing the value of liberty.
- Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia, now Fort Walker, honoring Dr. Mary Walker.
- Fort Hood, Texas, now Fort Cavazos, after Gen. Richard Cavazos.
- Fort Lee, Virginia, now Fort Gregg-Adams, in memory of Lt. Gen. Arthur Gregg and Lt. Col. Charity Adams.
- Fort Pickett, Virginia, now Fort Barfoot, named after Tech. Sgt. Van T. Barfoot.
- Fort Polk, Louisiana, now Fort Johnson, in honor of Sgt. William Henry Johnson.
- Fort Rucker, Alabama, now Fort Novosel, after Chief Warrant Officer 4 Michael J. Novosel, Sr.
In addition to these installations, the Naming Commission has recommended renaming hundreds of other items, including streets and buildings on military bases. The Army, having the most items to rename or remove, has already redesignated all streets named for individuals who voluntarily served the Confederate States of America. The U.S. Postal Service has updated its systems to ensure uninterrupted mail delivery. By January 1, 2024, the Army aims to complete all re-designations of buildings and other real property assets.
The overall cost of implementing all the recommendations across the military is estimated at about $62.5 million. This initiative reflects a broader effort to align military commemorations with values that represent unity, honor, and respect for all who serve the nation.
