Key takeaways:

• The Pentagon has announced the renaming of Fort Liberty back to Fort Bragg, reversing a previous decision.
• This change honors Private First Class Roland L. Bragg, a WWII hero, rather than Confederate General Braxton Bragg.
• The decision is part of broader cultural and political discussions surrounding military base names post-George Floyd protests.

The ongoing cultural and political debates surrounding the names of military installations in the United States took a new turn when Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on Monday that Fort Liberty in North Carolina is to be renamed back to Fort Bragg. This change restores its original title, which had been shifted during a campaign to remove Confederate names from military bases, notably initiated in response to the racial justice movements following the death of George Floyd in 2020.

Security Secretary Hegseth's memo emphasized honoring Private First Class Roland L. Bragg, a distinguished World War II veteran who was awarded a Silver Star and Purple Heart for his brave actions during the Battle of the Bulge. Hegseth's move sidesteps recent legislation prohibiting military installations from being named after Confederate figures, cleverly attributing the name Bragg to a different individual.

This decision aligns with a broader initiative to reshape the identity of military bases amid a contentious political climate centered around historical representation and inclusion. Fort Bragg, one of the largest military installations in the world, is home to over 50,000 military personnel and plays a significant role in U.S. military operations.

Before its renaming, Fort Bragg had garnered significant attention due to its connection to the controversial figure General Braxton Bragg, a Confederate general, who was initially honored by the installation's name. In 2023, Fort Bragg was renamed to Fort Liberty, a decision that had faced backlash from various political factions, including former President Donald Trump, who expressed a desire to revert the name during his campaign stops in North Carolina.

The Pentagon's recent announcement underscores the installation's legacy of recognizing service and sacrifice, with spokesperson John Ullyot reflecting on the importance of this symbolic change. “This change underscores the installation’s legacy of recognizing those who have demonstrated extraordinary service and sacrifice for the nation,” he stated.

For more details, refer to the coverage from CBS News, Newsweek, and USA Today.