The renowned Georgia military installation is undergoing another name transition as Fort Benning is restored to honor an 18-year-old World War I corporal rather than its previous namesake, a Confederate general. A formal ceremony was scheduled for Wednesday at the base near Columbus, which accommodates approximately 70,000 soldiers, civilian staff, and military families. Fort Benning serves as a critical training ground for infantry and tank crews and hosts the prestigious Army Ranger School.
This marks the second name change in under two years, with all signage, stationery, and digital platforms requiring updates. The previous modification in 2023 renamed the installation Fort Moore, a decision influenced by a congressional mandate initiated in 2020 aimed at eliminating Confederate commemorations from nine Army installations during President Joe Biden’s tenure. The base was originally named Camp Benning in 1918, honoring Henry L. Benning, a Confederate brigadier general and advocate for secession.
Current federal legislation forbids military facilities from bearing Confederate names. However, a workaround developed under President Donald Trump’s administration enables bases to be renamed in honor of new individuals with matching surnames. Last month, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the reversion to Fort Benning, now to honor Fred Benning, who earned the Distinguished Service Cross in 1918 for his valor at 18 years of age. Fred Benning later returned to Nebraska, where he opened a bakery and served as mayor of Neligh before passing away in 1974.
During its brief period as Fort Moore, the installation was named in honor of both Lt. Gen. Hal Moore, a Vietnam War cavalry battalion commander and Distinguished Service Cross recipient, and his wife, Julia Moore. Julia famously advocated for a change in military casualty notification procedures from telegrams to in-person visits. In his directive to restore the name Fort Benning, Hegseth urged the Army to commemorate the Moores in a way that acknowledges their significant contributions to the community and military.
The financial implications of this reversion remain undisclosed, though a 2022 panel estimated that the prior change to Fort Moore cost at least $4.9 million. Fort Benning follows Fort Bragg in North Carolina as the second military base in 2023 to revert to a former name after a temporary change.
Context and Clarity
This renaming initiative reflects broader societal shifts regarding the commemoration of historical figures. For military personnel and their families stationed at Fort Benning, the name change signifies a return to familiar grounds, potentially reinforcing a sense of continuity and tradition. Additionally, honoring Fred Benning may resonate more positively within the community, as it aligns with contemporary values of recognizing service members who demonstrated heroism and sacrifice.
The broader public may view these changes as efforts to reconcile the historical narrative with modern ideals. This move is part of a larger trend of reassessing historical symbols, with implications for how history is taught and remembered. Implementing such changes could also foster more inclusive narratives in military history, ultimately affecting how communities engage with their local and national heritage.