On Monday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth signed a memo while aboard a C-17 aircraft on its way to Germany. The memorandum changed the name “Fort Liberty”, which was the original name for the historic military base in North Carolina.

In a video of him signing the memorandum, he stated, “There you go.” In accordance with the authority of Secretary of Defense Title 10, United States Code SS 113 I direct the Army that Fort Liberty, North Carolina be renamed Fort Bragg, North Carolina. It’s true — Bragg has returned!

The name change is in honor of Army Private First-Class Roland L. Bragg who was awarded the Silver Star during World War II and not Gen. Braxton Bragg the Confederate General, after whom the base originally had been named.

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Fort Roland L. Bragg will be renamed Fort Liberty in North Carolina by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on 10 February 2025 while aboard a C-17 flying from Joint Base Andrews, North Carolina to Stuttgart. The new name pays tribute to Pfc. Roland L. Bragg is a World War II vet who was awarded the Silver Star as well as the Purple Heart for his bravery in the Battle of the Bulge. This decision is a reflection of the proud history that the installation has of honoring sacrifice and selfless service in defense of our nation.

The memo addressed to the Acting Secretary of the Army reads as follows:

Title 10, United States Code Section 113, 1, the authority granted by the Secretary of Defense to the Army, directs the Army to rename Fort Liberty, North Carolina to Fort Bragg. North Carolina in honor of Private 1st Class Roland L. Bragg who served the United States Army with distinction in World War II, and to recognize the long history of service by the installation.

Born in 1923 in Sabattus, Maine, Pfc. Bragg joined the U.S. Army and served in the 513th parachutist infantry regiment, 17th Airborne Division and XVIII Airborne Corps during World War II. Pfc. Bragg served with distinction on the European theatre of operations. He was awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart in recognition of his conspicuous bravery and intrepidity during the Battle of the Bulge. During the hellish conditions, and amid fierce fighting, Pfc. Bragg saved the life of a wounded Soldier by commandeering and driving an enemy ambulance 20 miles in order to transport him to an allied hospital.

Since nearly a century, under the designations Camp Bragg and then Fort Bragg tens and thousands of Soldiers have trained and deployed to conflicts and increases around the globe in defense of the United States. Fort Bragg is a proven leader in equipping, training and preparing Soldiers for any operational environment. This directive recognizes the courage and sacrifice of those who trained to fight in and win wars for our nation, including Pfc. Bragg and in keeping with its storied and esteemed history.

The Secretary of Army must take all necessary and appropriate steps to implement this decision, in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations. The Army must inform the Under Secretary for Acquisition and Sustainment about its plans for implementing this decision, including timelines, resource requirements and timeframes.

Fort Bragg was renamed Fort Liberty in 2020, following the George Floyd protests. Congress created a commission that would rename military bases named for Confederate figures. Donald Trump, then-President of the United States, vetoed this legislation. However Congress overrode it.

Fort Bragg officially changed its name to Fort Liberty under the Biden Pentagon in June 2023.

Hegseth’s top priority is to eliminate the diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), initiatives that were launched by the previous administration, and put the focus on warfighting, merit, and the pursuit of excellence.