Fort Benning reclaims its name, but this time to honor a teenage World War I hero instead of a Confederate general, marking a significant shift in how the Army recognizes its historical figures.
At a Glance
- Fort Moore, Georgia, will return to being called Fort Benning, but now honoring Cpl. Fred Benning, a World War I hero who earned the Distinguished Service Cross
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the renaming to honor Benning’s heroism while acknowledging the installation’s historical significance
- The fort was originally named after Confederate General Henry Benning in 1918
- This change follows a broader initiative to remove Confederate names from military installations
- The renaming also aims to honor Lt. Gen. Harold Moore and Julia Moore’s contributions in a different capacity
A New Hero for an Historic Installation
Fort Benning is back, but with a crucial difference. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the Georgia military installation, recently known as Fort Moore, will revert to its former name but now honors World War I hero Corporal Fred Benning instead of Confederate General Henry Benning. The 18-year-old corporal earned the Distinguished Service Cross, the nation’s second-highest military decoration, for extraordinary heroism in France during World War I. After his military service, Benning returned home to become the mayor of Neligh, Nebraska, demonstrating continued service to his country in civilian life.
The installation, which serves as home to the Army’s Maneuver Center of Excellence and the elite 75th Ranger Regiment, was originally named after Confederate General Henry Benning in 1918. The renaming represents a deliberate shift from honoring Confederate figures to celebrating Americans who demonstrated exceptional valor in service to the United States. This change aligns with a Congressional mandate to remove Confederate names from Department of Defense properties, which has already led to several other installations being renamed across the country.
Preserving History While Embracing New Values
In his directive for the name change, Secretary Hegseth emphasized the importance of recognizing the installation’s historical significance while moving forward with values that better represent today’s military. The decision maintains a connection to the Benning name that has been associated with the installation for over a century, while redirecting the honor to someone whose service directly contributed to American military success. The fort had only recently been renamed to Fort Moore in 2023, honoring Lieutenant General Harold Moore and his wife Julia Moore.
Despite the return to the Benning name, Secretary Hegseth has directed the Army to find appropriate ways to continue honoring the Moore family’s contributions. He specifically instructed the Army to “honor the legacy of Lieutenant General Harold (Hal) Moore’s storied military service and Ms. Julia (Julie) Moore’s family and casualty notification advocacy in a manner that celebrates their significant contributions to the local community and the Army.” This approach attempts to balance the recognition of multiple historical figures who have made meaningful contributions.
Exemplifying Military Values
The selection of Corporal Fred Benning as the installation’s new namesake represents a deliberate emphasis on recognizing individual heroism and sacrifice rather than controversial historical figures. The young infantryman’s actions during World War I embodied the values the modern Army seeks to instill in its soldiers. His story offers a compelling example of courage and commitment that can inspire current and future generations of service members who train at the installation.
“CPL Benning was the living 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.” Hegseth said in his memo.
This renaming is part of a broader initiative that has seen multiple Army installations shed Confederate-associated names in favor of honoring military heroes who more directly represent American values and unity. Other installations that have undergone similar transformations include Fort Bragg, now Fort Liberty, along with several others across the United States. While maintaining its essential function as a critical training ground for America’s fighting forces, Fort Benning’s new identity signals the Army’s commitment to honoring those whose service exemplifies the highest standards of duty and sacrifice to the nation.
