Fort Benning Renamed in Honor of WWI Soldier, Replacing Fort Moore

Image credits: Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Alexander C. Kubitza, DOD

The US military has announced the renaming of a major Army base in Georgia from Fort Moore to Fort Benning, in a move that marks the second time Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has renamed an Army base. The decision to rename the base is in honor of Cpl. Fred G. Benning, a World War I soldier and Distinguished Service Cross recipient, rather than the Confederate general it was previously named after. According to a memo signed by Hegseth, Cpl. Benning was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his extraordinary heroism in action south of Exermont, France, on October 9, 1918, where he took command of his company and led them through heavy fire to their assigned objective in support of the Meuse-Argonne Offensive.

The renaming of the base has been met with a range of reactions, including celebration, confusion, and anger. Some have expressed support for the decision, citing the importance of honoring the legacy of Cpl. Benning, while others have criticized the move, arguing that it erases the legacy of Lt. Gen. Harold "Hal" Moore and his wife, Julia, who the base was previously named after. The Moores have a long history with the base, with Hal Moore beginning his infantry training at Fort Benning in the 1940s and the family being stationed at the base prior to his deployment to Vietnam. The renaming process is expected to require significant funding, with the Army needing to update signs, documents, and other materials to reflect the new name.

Local leaders and politicians have also weighed in on the decision, with some expressing support for the renaming and others criticizing the move. Columbus Mayor Skip Henderson stated that the name change does not matter to him, as long as the city can continue to support the soldiers and their families. However, retired Brigadier General Andy Hilmes expressed concern that the renaming of the base would reopen old wounds and distract from more important issues. The legacy of Cpl. Benning and the Moores will continue to be honored at the base, with Hegseth directing the Army to honor the legacy of the Moores in a manner that celebrates their significant contributions to the local community and the Army.

The decision to rename the base is part of a broader effort to retitle bases with Confederate-era names. In 2023, the base was renamed from Fort Benning to Fort Moore as part of this effort. However, with the new renaming, the base will revert to its original name, but with a new namesake. The history of the base and its namesakes is complex, with different individuals and groups having different perspectives on the issue. As the base undergoes the renaming process, it is likely that there will be ongoing debate and discussion about the decision and its implications.

Some of the key points to consider in the renaming of the base include: * The base was originally named after Confederate General Henry Benning * The base was renamed to Fort Moore in 2023 in honor of Lt. Gen. Harold "Hal" Moore and his wife, Julia * The base is being renamed again to Fort Benning, in honor of Cpl. Fred G. Benning, a World War I soldier and Distinguished Service Cross recipient * The renaming process is expected to require significant funding and will involve updating signs, documents, and other materials to reflect the new name * The decision to rename the base has been met with a range of reactions, including celebration, confusion, and anger. As the situation continues to unfold, it is likely that there will be ongoing discussion and debate about the decision and its implications.