The historic name “Fort Bragg” is returning, but not in the way many expected.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced Monday night that Fort Liberty, the military base in Fayetteville, North Carolina, will once again be known as Fort Bragg—only this time, it’s honoring a different Bragg.
From Fort Bragg to Fort Liberty and Back Again
In 2023, Fort Bragg was renamed Fort Liberty as part of an effort to remove Confederate-linked names from U.S. military bases.
The original Fort Bragg, established in 1918, was named after Confederate General Braxton Bragg, a controversial figure who was both a slaveowner and an ineffective military leader.
Historians argue that his poor strategic decisions contributed to the Confederacy’s defeat in the Civil War.
A New Bragg Takes the Spotlight
The latest Pentagon announcement clarifies that the base will now honor a different Bragg—Roland L. Bragg, a World War II hero.
According to a Pentagon spokesperson, Roland Bragg was a decorated fighter who earned the Silver Star and Purple Heart for his bravery during the Battle of the Bulge.
Hegseth Fulfills a Trump Promise
Hegseth made the announcement while en route to Stuttgart, Germany, signing the official memorandum during his overnight flight.
In a Pentagon-released video, he declared, “That’s right, Bragg is back.”
However, he did not directly mention the change in namesake.
This move aligns with a promise made by former President Donald Trump during a visit to Fayetteville in October.
Trump had vowed to restore the Fort Bragg name, saying, “So, here’s what we do. We get elected, and then, I’m doing it.”
The Fight Over Military Base Names
The debate over renaming military bases began in 2020, following the nationwide protests after George Floyd’s killing and the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement.
At the time, there was growing pressure to remove the names of Confederate leaders from military institutions.
Trump, however, strongly opposed the changes. During his 2020 reelection campaign against then-candidate Joe Biden, he framed the issue as a matter of preserving American heritage.
He argued that bases like Fort Bragg were symbols of “Winning, Victory, and Freedom.”
In June 2020, Trump tweeted that his administration “will not even consider” renaming bases named after Confederate figures.
Trump’s Resistance to Change
Even after losing the 2020 election, Trump continued to fight against the renaming effort.
In December of that year, he vetoed a massive military spending bill because it included a provision to rename bases with Confederate-linked names.
His stance contradicted arguments from figures like former CIA Director Gen. David Petraeus, who pointed out that it made little sense for U.S. military bases to honor individuals who fought against the United States.
The Legacy of Braxton Bragg
Ironically, some historians argue that Braxton Bragg’s failures on the battlefield ultimately helped the Union win the Civil War.
His ineffective leadership and repeated losses weakened the Confederate Army, contributing to their eventual defeat.
What’s Next?
With the new name officially in place, the focus now shifts to how this decision will be received by military personnel and the broader public.
Will this compromise satisfy those who wanted the Fort Liberty name to remain, while also appeasing those who wanted Fort Bragg restored?
One thing is certain—this chapter in military history isn’t closing quietly.
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