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3mo ago

Fort Liberty Renamed Back to Fort Bragg, Honoring WWII Hero Roland Bragg

The controversial decision by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth revives the historic name but shifts its dedication from a Confederate general to a decorated paratrooper.

The view of Denali, since renamed Mt. McKinley, on September 1, 2015 in Denali National Park, Alaska (left) and : A sign shows Fort Bragg information May 13, 2004 in Fayettville, North Carolina (right).
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth signs a memorandum reversing the name of Fort Liberty back to Fort Bragg while flying in a C-17 operated by the 300th Airlift Squadron en route to Stuttgart, Germany, Feb. 10, 2025.
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth talks to the media during his visit to the headquarters of U.S. European Command and Africa Command at the Africa Command at Kelly Barracks in Stuttgart Germany, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth prepares to welcome Australian Defence Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles at the Pentagon in Washington, U.S., February 7, 2025. REUTERS/Nathan Howard/File Photo

Overview

  • Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the renaming of Fort Liberty in North Carolina back to Fort Bragg, now in honor of WWII paratrooper Pfc. Roland L. Bragg, not Confederate Gen. Braxton Bragg.
  • Roland Bragg, a Maine native, earned the Silver Star and Purple Heart for his bravery during the Battle of the Bulge, including a daring rescue of wounded soldiers under enemy fire.
  • The renaming decision has sparked mixed reactions, with supporters praising the shift to honor a true American hero and critics questioning the cost and political motivations behind the move.
  • The original name change to Fort Liberty in 2023 followed a Congressional mandate to remove Confederate names from military installations, costing an estimated $8 million.
  • Hegseth's decision aligns with broader efforts to reverse diversity-focused policies in the military, drawing criticism from some lawmakers and former officials who view it as undermining previous bipartisan reforms.