Hegseth restores Fort Bragg name to honor WWII hero, Pentagon says
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Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, last week. Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth signed a memorandum to reverse the name of the Fort Liberty Army base in North Carolina "back to Fort Bragg," the Pentagon announced Monday.
Why it matters: The base was renamed Fort Liberty in 2023 because it was originally named after Confederate Gen. Braxton Bragg, but a Pentagon statement on Monday gave its full new name as Fort Roland L. Bragg.
Zoom in: "The new name pays tribute to Pfc. Roland L. Bragg, a World War II hero who earned the Silver Star and Purple Heart for his exceptional courage during the Battle of the Bulge," per a statement from Pentagon spokesperson John Ullyot.
- "This change underscores the installation's legacy of recognizing those who have demonstrated extraordinary service and sacrifice for the nation."
What they're saying: "That's right, Bragg is back," Hegseth said in a video posted to X after signing the memo onboard a military aircraft en route to Germany.
Flashback: 6 Army bases named after Confederate leaders get dates for new names
