Georiga leaders, politicians, veterans react to Fort Benning name change

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Celebration, confusion, and anger followed the announcement Monday that Fort Moore would be restored to its founding name of Fort Benning.
The name change, which is effective immediately, was ordered by U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. The decision comes two years after the installation was renamed to Fort Moore in honor of Lt. General Harold “Hal” and Julia Moore in 2023. Fort Benning was one of nine Army installations, including Fort Eisenhower, selected for renaming in an effort to remove names with connections to the Confederacy of the U.S. Civil War.
Fort Benning was originally named for Confederate General Henry Benning. Secretary Hegseth stated the new name will be in reference to Corporal Fred G. Benning who was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross in World War I.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth signed an order restoring the name of a famed Army post in North Carolina back to Fort Bragg.
Hegseth said there will be more name changes coming, which begs the question: Will Fort Eisenhower be one of them?