The proposed names include women, African-Americans, Native Americans, and Latin service members, and the U.S. military has endorsed various rankings over the years. However, the commission also recommended that some sites be renamed whites.
In the final months of the Trump administration the renaming of sites with Confederate monarchs became a hot button political issue, with then-President Donald Trump blasting the idea, accusing others of “wanting to throw out those names”.
Trump vetoed the 2021 National Security Accreditation Act, which includes the naming commission, but in the fall of his administration, Congress overcame its first and only veto during his tenure, approving the law with overwhelming bipartisan support.
The Naming Commission has been seeking recommendations for possible new names for U.S. military bases through the public website. Received over 34,000 submissions for possible names for renaming sites, Brick. General Die Seidel, vice president of the U.S. Army Retired and Naming Commission, said at a roundtable on Tuesday.
Out of 34,000 nominations, the Commission narrowed down 3,670 names to potential contenders, then to 87, and finally to the list of nominations they released today.
“Every name was derived or echoed from local communities. The feedback we received helped us reduce the number of options and helped us reach our final recommendations,” Seidule said.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin welcomed the proposals.
“Today’s announcement highlights the Commission’s efforts to propose nine new installation names that reflect the courage, values, sacrifices and diversity of our military men and women,” Austin said in a statement.
Austin will have the final say on the renaming of the sites, and the commission’s final recommendations to Congress will come Oct. 1.
Here are nine sites that can change their names.
From Fort AB Hill to Ford Walker
The commission recommended that the name of Ford AB Hill in Virginia be changed to Ford Walker, after Confederate Commander Lieutenant General Ambrose Powell (AB) Hill. Dr. Mary Walker was the first female surgeon in the Army and was eventually awarded the Medal of Honor for her service during the Civil War.
“Dr. Mary Walker’s service to the nation, perseverance and lifelong struggle for equality across significant barriers based on her gender serve as a role model and inspiration to all Americans,” the commission said in a statement.
From Fort Polk to Ford Johnson
Fort Polk in Louisiana, named after Confederate Commander Lt. Gen. Leonidas Polk, may have become Fort Johnson in memory of the Sergeant. William Henry Johnson. The African American soldier is considered one of the first heroes of World War I, who fought alone against about two dozen Germans, killing at least four. He was later awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously.
“His story involves an unquenchable desire to win against all odds, the sacrifices our soldiers made and the many traditions of our military soldiers,” the release said.
From Fort Brock to Ford Liberty
Fort Carolina, North Carolina, is one of the largest military establishments in the world, and on the recommendations of the Commission, Fort Liberty was named after one of the US value-laden facilities instead of the individual or group of people.
General Proxton was an infamous Confederate general who received a lot of criticism for his often low performance on the field, with a hot temper and a fighting personality.
From Fort Penning to Fort Moore
Fort Penning in Georgia may be renamed Fort Moore after Lieutenant General Hall and Julia Moore. Hal Moore served in the military in Japan, Korea, Norway and Vietnam between 1945 and 1977.
His wife, Julia, “worked for the American Red Cross and advocated for continued support for military families, including childcare and quality of life opportunities and initiatives that are still relied upon and refined by families today.”
From Fort Garden to Ford Eisenhower
Fort Gordon, Georgia, may become Fort Eisenhower after Army General Dwight Eisenhower, who served as the country’s 34th president.
The Commission said in a statement that the late President’s “comprehensive, innovative and effective military experience and leadership has shaped our modern world.” His life manifested a high devotion to duty, the fulfillment of those duties in the light of history and the personal experience of adapting to new circumstances. “
From Fort Hood to Fort Kawasos
It may be renamed Fort Kawasos in memory of General Richard Kawasos, who served in both Fort Hood, the Korean War and the Vietnam War in Texas.
“In 1982, he became the first Hispanic-American to follow four stars,” the publication said. “His final task as Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Armed Forces was to briefly summarize his service life by appointing him as Commander-in-Chief of the Deployment, Training and Stabilization of All Stable Forces in the Army.”
From Fort Lee to Ford Greg-Adams
The commission also proposed renaming Fort Lee, Virginia as Ford Greg-Adams, after Lieutenant General Arthur Greg and Lieutenant Colonel Charity Adams. In 1944, Adams was “elected to command the First Division of African-American Women Working Abroad.” His mission was to direct the 6888th Central Postal Directory in England.
“Although Arthur Gregg and Charity Adams have served on different missions and in different conflicts, leadership, commitment and consistent themes for problem solving have combined their service,” the commission said. “Furthermore, in overcoming the obstacles caused by the war, they also helped to overcome the social barriers posed by secession. Their service simultaneously contributed to the success of the mission and the social progress.”
Ford Pickett to Ford Barfoot
Meanwhile, Fort Pickett in Virginia could be renamed Fort Barfoot after Tech. Sgt. Barfoot.
The commission noted that Barfoot, who died in 2012, made headlines in 2009 when he “insisted that the American flag be flown at his home against the wishes of his local homeowners’ association.”
From Ford Rocker to Ford Novosol
During World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, he served on 2,543 Medvedev evacuations. The Commission recommended that Fort Rucker Castle in Alabama be renamed Novosel in memory of Novosell Sr. Release.
This story has been updated with more details.
