WASHINGTON (CHATNEWSTV) — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has signed a memorandum directing the renaming of Fort Moore, Georgia, back to Fort Benning in honor of Army Cpl. Fred G. Benning, a World War I hero, the Pentagon announced Monday.
The memorandum states that the installation will now bear Benning’s name in recognition of his “extraordinary heroism during World War I with the United States Army” and the post’s long-standing history of military service.
Originally named Camp Benning in October 1918 after Confederate Gen. Henry L. Benning, the base retained the name Fort Benning until it was renamed Fort Moore in May 2023 in honor of Army Lt. Gen. Hal Moore and his wife, Julia Compton Moore.
Cpl. Benning, a native of Norfolk, Nebraska, enlisted in April 1917 at age 17 and was later deployed to Europe, where he served with the 16th Infantry Regiment. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for “extraordinary heroism in action” on Oct. 9, 1918, south of Exermont, France. According to historical records, Benning declined a formal military ceremony for his award, a modesty described by officers at his local recruiting office as emblematic of soldiers of his caliber.
“After the enemy killed his platoon commander and disabled two senior non-commissioned officers, Cpl. Benning took command of the surviving 20 men of his company and courageously led them through heavy fire to their assigned objective in support of the Meuse-Argonne Offensive,” the memo states. After returning from the war, Benning continued his service as the mayor of Neligh, Nebraska. He died in May 1974.
The Columbus, Georgia, Army installation supports more than 120,000 active-duty service members, reserve component soldiers, family members, civilian employees, and retirees. It houses the United States Army Maneuver Center of Excellence, the Army Infantry School, the Army Armor School, the 1st Security Force Assistance Brigade, elements of the 75th Ranger Regiment, and other units.
This marks the second time Hegseth has restored a military installation’s previous name. On Feb. 11, he ordered Fort Liberty, North Carolina, to revert to Fort Bragg in honor of WWII Army Pfc. Roland L. Bragg, an airborne infantryman awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart for his actions during the Battle of the Bulge.
