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The base’s original namesake, Gen. Braxton Bragg, was a
Confederate general from Warrenton, North Carolina, who was
known for owning slaves and losing key Civil War battles,
contributing to the Confederacy’s downfall.
But the Pentagon spokesman said Hegseth was renaming the base to
honor Pfc. Roland L. Bragg, who he said was a World War II hero
who earned the Silver Star and Purple Heart for his exceptional
courage during the Battle of the Bulge.
“This change underscores the installation’s legacy of
recognizing those who have demonstrated extraordinary service
and sacrifice for the nation,” spokesman John Ullyot said in a
statement.
The choice of the World War II private first class got around a
law prohibiting the military from naming a base after a
Confederate leader.
In a video he posted on X announcing that he was renaming the
base, Hegseth said: “That's right. Bragg is back!”
In reality, the base had still been widely known as Bragg, the
new name having not really taken hold. On Hegseth's first
official day as defense secretary he made a point of calling it
Fort Bragg in his first exchange with reporters.
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