U.S. Army Renaming Military Bases to Honor America's Diversity
Across the United States, Army installations are undergoing name changes in support of the Department of Defense’s push to recognize and honor the diverse populations who call this nation home.
New military base names and dates:
Fort Barfoot, VA
(formerly Fort Pickett) was renamed in honor of Colonel Van T. Barfoot, a World War II Medal of Honor recipient with extensive ties to Virginia. This change occurred on March 24, 2023 and marks the first of nine planned installation renames.
Fort Novosel, AL
(formerly Fort Rucker) was renamed in honor of Medal of Honor recipient Chief Warrant Officer 4 Michael Novosel Sr who flew his helicopter into heavy gunfire during 15 medical evacuations in a single battle which saved 29 soldiers. This change occurred on April 10, 2023.
Fort Gregg-Adams, VA
(formerly Fort Lee) was renamed to commemorate Lt. Gen. Arthur Gregg, the first Black soldier to rise to three-star general in the logistics field; and Lt. Col. Charity Adams, the first Black officer in the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps. This change occurred on April 27, 2023.
Fort Cavazos, TX
(formerly Fort Hood) was renamed to honor General Richard Cavazos, the first four-star general of Hispanic heritage. He earned the Distinguished Service Cross for each conflict in which he served. This change occurred on May 9, 2023.
Fort Moore, GA
(formerly Fort Benning) was renamed to honor General Hal Moore and his wife Julia and their contributions to the military family. This change occurred on May 11, 2023.
Fort Liberty, NC
(formerly Fort Bragg) was not renamed for any one person. Instead, the name change commemorates the value of freedom from oppression. This change occurred on June 2, 2023.
Fort Johnson, LA
(formerly Fort Polk) was renamed to honor a Black war hero Sergeant William Henry Johnson. Sergeant Johnson, known as the "Black Death" for his heroics, is considered one of America’s first heroes of World War I and was awarded a posthumous Purple Heart and Medal of Honor. This change occurred on June 13, 2023.
Fort Walker, VA
(formerly Fort A.P. Hill) was renamed to honor Dr. Mary Walker. She was the first female U.S. Army surgeon during the Civil War as well as a women’s rights advocate, abolitionist, and spy. This change occurred on August 28, 2023.
Fort Eisenhower, GA
(currently Fort Gordon) is being renamed to honor the 34th President of the United States. The date of this name change is yet to be determined.
Please note
Our job fair schedule and other military base related communications will reflect these new names as the changes occur. See our schedule for upcoming military community job fairs.
For further details about these name changes, read this article by Military.com.
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