House pushes to restore Fort Moore name in Georgia bill
In a striking move, the Republican-led U.S. House of Representatives has passed legislation to rename Fort Benning in Columbus, Georgia, back to Fort Moore, reversing a controversial decision made earlier this year by the Trump administration.
The sweeping defense spending bill, approved this month, also includes a proposal to rename Fort Gordon in Augusta to Fort Shughart Gordon, honoring two Medal of Honor recipients, while reinstating the Moore name at the Columbus base, Military reported.
The history of Fort Benning’s naming stretches back to its original designation after Confederate General Henry Benning, a fervent secessionist who opposed abolition with inflammatory rhetoric.
Revisiting History with Fort Moore Renaming
In 2023, during the Biden administration, the base was one of nine military installations stripped of Confederate ties and renamed Fort Moore to honor Lt. Gen. Hal Moore and his wife, Julia Moore.
Hal Moore, a decorated hero of the Korean and Vietnam wars, co-authored the book “We Were Soldiers Once ... and Young,” while Julia was a pillar of support for military families.
Both are buried at the base, adding a personal connection to the naming choice.
Controversy Over Trump-Era Name Reversal
Earlier this year, the Trump administration reverted the name to Fort Benning, citing Cpl. Fred Benning of Nebraska, a World War I hero who earned the Distinguished Service Cross.
The Defense Department supported this change, emphasizing the installation’s historical significance and training legacy, though critics called the decision divisive.
Rep. Marilyn Strickland, a Democrat from Washington, criticized the move, saying it was a “ploy” involving “finding new service members who shared the last names of these Confederate traitors.”
Financial Costs of Repeated Name Changes
The repeated name changes have come with significant costs, with the 2023 switch to Fort Moore tallying approximately $830,000, including efforts to erase other Confederate references.
In April, the military estimated that reverting to Fort Benning would cost about $653,000 for updates to signage, ID badges, and police uniforms.
These expenses have fueled debates over the practicality of such frequent renaming decisions.
Support for Honoring the Moores and Delta Force Heroes
Rep. Austin Scott, a Republican from Tifton, Georgia, has been a strong advocate for returning the name to Fort Moore, praising Hal and Julia as “stalwart patriots” who merit recognition.
He also proposed renaming Fort Gordon in Augusta to Fort Shughart Gordon, honoring Delta Force snipers Randall Shughart and Gary Gordon, who perished heroically in the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu.
Scott emphasized their shared sacrifice, stating, “Their legacy and names should exist in death as they did in life – together.”
Parallel Renaming Efforts and Future Steps
Fort Gordon, originally named for Confederate General John Gordon, a known Ku Klux Klan leader, was renamed Fort Eisenhower in 2023 to honor President Dwight D. Eisenhower, before being changed back this year under the Trump administration to honor Gary Gordon.
Gary Gordon’s widow, Carmen Owens, expressed gratitude for the recognition, noting plans to speak at a renaming ceremony on Friday where a “Master Sgt. Gary Gordon Boulevard” sign will be unveiled.
While the House bill pushes these changes, the Senate’s version lacks similar language, meaning a compromise between the chambers is needed before a final vote, leaving the fate of both bases’ names uncertain.