Fort Benning Name Restored—Now Honoring a World War I Hero, Not a Confederate General

On Wednesday, a ceremony took place outside Columbus, Georgia, where the U.S. Army officially reinstated the name Fort Benning to one of its most recognized training installations. This time, the name pays tribute to a different Benning—Fred Benning, an 18-year-old corporal from World War I who received the nation’s second-highest award for battlefield valor in 1918.

The change signifies a notable turnaround from the 2023 decision to rename the post Fort Moore, which was part of a broader congressional initiative aimed at eliminating Confederate names from military installations. Initially founded in 1918 as Camp Benning and subsequently named after Confederate General Henry L. Benning, the base's name was changed following federal legislation that prohibited honors for Confederate figures.

The return to Fort Benning was facilitated by a workaround implemented during the Trump administration, which allowed for the reuse of legacy base names as long as they honored a different individual with the same surname who was not associated with the Confederacy. Last month, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth approved the change, recognizing Fred Benning’s heroism on the battlefield and his subsequent promotion to sergeant.

The base, responsible for training infantry, tank crews, and hosting the prestigious Army Ranger School, is set to experience its second name change in two years. This transition will involve updates to signage, digital systems, and official materials, with an anticipated cost of approximately $653,000.

Sue Conger-Williams, Fred Benning’s granddaughter, addressed the ceremony and reminisced about cherished moments with her grandfather. “He seldom spoke of his experiences in the Army,” she remarked. “However, I now realize that his values—integrity, hard work, service—were inherent in both the soldier and the grandfather I knew.”

About 70,000 soldiers, civilian employees, and family members reside at Fort Benning. The Army aims to honor its history through this renaming, while also aligning more closely with the principles of inclusion and national unity.