Fort Liberty in North Carolina has officially been renamed back to Fort Bragg, but with a unique twist. On Friday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth signed a memo to honor Private First Class Roland L. Bragg, a World War II hero, instead of retaining the name of the Confederate general Braxton Bragg, after whom the base was originally named.
The ceremony took place at the large military installation outside Fayetteville, which serves over 260,000 personnel, including soldiers, family members, and retirees. Lt. Gen. Gregory Anderson spoke at the event, highlighting the significance of the change and honoring the legacy of PFC Roland Bragg, who passed away in 1999.
Roland Bragg’s granddaughter shared personal stories about him, revealing that he was a humble man who enjoyed cooking for his grandchildren. She recounted how he was captured by German forces during the war but managed to negotiate his release by leveraging their shared Freemason ties.
During the event, the atmosphere was filled with pride as attendees celebrated the renaming, which reverses the decision made by Democrats to rename the base to "Fort Liberty" as part of a broader movement to eliminate Confederate names from military installations. Hegseth emphasized that Fort Bragg is not just a military base; it is a vital part of the Army’s ability to project force globally.
The renaming of Fort Bragg comes amid ongoing discussions about military base names across the country. Other bases have also undergone similar changes, with Fort A.P. Hill in Virginia and Fort Hood in Texas being renamed to honor different individuals. The Pentagon plans to continue this trend, with Fort Moore in Georgia expected to be the next base to undergo a creative renaming.
Rep. Richard Hudson, who represents the area, expressed support for the change, stating that it honors the brave soldiers associated with Fort Bragg and acknowledges the history of the base. He noted that the name Fort Bragg carries significance that goes beyond its Confederate connections, representing the dedication and courage of the troops stationed there.
As the military continues to evolve, the renaming of Fort Bragg to honor a World War II hero reflects a shift towards recognizing the contributions of individuals who embody the values of service and sacrifice.