Fort Bragg Renamed Again – Honoring WWII Hero Roland L. Bragg

The U.S. Army base formerly known as Fort Bragg is undergoing another name change. Initially named after Confederate General Braxton Bragg, the base was renamed Fort Liberty in 2023 as part of a broader effort to remove Confederate names from military installations. However, on Monday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that the base will now be called Fort Roland L. Bragg, in honor of Private First Class Roland L. Bragg, a World War II hero.

Pfc. Bragg, a member of the 17th Airborne Division, received the Silver Star and Purple Heart for his bravery during the Battle of the Bulge. He famously commandeered an enemy ambulance and drove it through enemy fire to save a fellow soldier’s life. After the war, he lived a quiet life as a mechanic and building mover, only later reconnecting with one of the men he saved.

The renaming has political implications, as the 2023 change to Fort Liberty stemmed from a congressional mandate to remove Confederate names. The move was opposed by former President Trump, who had pledged to restore the Fort Bragg name. Hegseth’s decision to rename the base to Fort Roland L. Bragg aligns with that promise while honoring a more distinguished namesake.

This decision carries personal significance for many veterans, including myself. I proudly served at Fort Bragg from 1993 to 1997 in various units, and the name Fort Bragg has always represented honor, sacrifice, and dedication to service. While the changes reflect evolving historical perspectives, Fort Bragg will always hold a special place in my heart and in the hearts of those who served there.

The renaming process has been costly, with the previous change to Fort Liberty estimated at $8 million. This latest shift is expected to require additional expenses for signage and other updates.The U.S. Army base formerly known as Fort Bragg is undergoing another name change. Initially named after Confederate General Braxton Bragg, the base was renamed Fort Liberty in 2023 as part of a broader effort to remove Confederate names from military installations. However, on Monday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that the base will now be called Fort Roland L. Bragg, in honor of Private First Class Roland L. Bragg, a World War II hero.

Pfc. Bragg, a member of the 17th Airborne Division, received the Silver Star and Purple Heart for his bravery during the Battle of the Bulge. He famously commandeered an enemy ambulance and drove it through enemy fire to save a fellow soldier’s life. After the war, he lived a quiet life as a mechanic and building mover, only later reconnecting with one of the men he saved.

The renaming has political implications, as the 2023 change to Fort Liberty stemmed from a congressional mandate to remove Confederate names. The move was opposed by former President Trump, who had pledged to restore the Fort Bragg name. Hegseth’s decision to rename the base to Fort Roland L. Bragg aligns with that promise while honoring a more distinguished namesake.

This decision carries personal significance for many veterans, including myself. I proudly served at Fort Bragg from 1993 to 1997 in various units, and the name Fort Bragg has always represented honor, sacrifice, and dedication to service. While the changes reflect evolving historical perspectives, Fort Bragg will always hold a special place in my heart and in the hearts of those who served there.

The renaming process has been costly, with the previous change to Fort Liberty estimated at $8 million. This latest shift is expected to require additional expenses for signage and other updates.