In a bold decision announced on Monday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reinstated the historic name of Fort Bragg, a renowned base known for its special operations forces.
The installation had been renamed Fort Liberty in 2023 during an initiative by the Biden administration aimed at removing names associated with Confederate leaders.
However, it will now honor a different Bragg.
Revisiting Historical Context
The original namesake of the base, General Braxton Bragg, was a Confederate officer from Warrenton, North Carolina.
He gained notoriety not only for his slaveholding but also for his failures in key Civil War battles, which contributed to the downfall of the Confederacy.
Honoring a New Hero
Pentagon spokesperson John Ullyot noted that the decision to revert to Fort Bragg honors Private First Class Roland L. Bragg, a World War II hero celebrated for his valor during the Battle of the Bulge.
His courageous actions earned him the Silver Star and the Purple Heart, reflecting extraordinary service to the nation.
Community Identity and Continuity
Ullyot stated that the rebranding emphasizes the base’s dedication to commemorating individuals who have shown remarkable commitment and sacrifice.
This change skillfully sidesteps legal restrictions that prevent military installations from carrying the names of Confederate figures.
In a video posted on the social media platform X, Hegseth shared his enthusiasm for the return of the Fort Bragg name.
He highlighted that the community has long referred to the base simply as Bragg, maintaining a sense of continuity in its identity.
Remarkably, on his very first day in office, he referred to the installation as Fort Bragg in a conversation with reporters, underscoring how deeply embedded the name remains in the local culture.
Source: Militarytimes