WASHINGTON - An independent commission recommended on May 24 new names for nine Army posts that now commemorate Confederate officers. The recommendations are the latest step in a broader effort by the military to confront racial injustice. Fort Bragg (NC) would be Fort Liberty. Fort Gordon (Ga.) would be Fort (Dwight D.) Eisenhower. And, for the first time, Army bases would be named after Black soldiers and women. Other proposed re-namings would honor lesser-known heroes, including several who received the Medal of Honor, the military’s highest award. Fort Polk (La.) would be renamed Fort (William Henry) Johnson, a Black MoH recipient of WWI. Fort Pickett (Va.) would be named after Tech Sgt. Van Barfoot, an MoH recipient of WWII. Fort Rucker (Ala.) would be named Fort Novosel, after CWO Michael Novosel, an MoH recipient who served in WWII and Vietnam. The panel also is considering new names for two ships: USS Chancellorsville and USNS Maury. Those and the new names for hundreds of streets, buildings and other assets, will be in the final report due to Congress by Oct. 1. Under the law, the SECDEF is expected to implement the commission’s plan no later than Jan. 1, 2024. (Source: Virgina Pilot 05/24/22) Gulf Regional Note: Fort Rucker, Ala., is the site of Army helicopter training, Airbus Helicopters Inc builds the UH-72 Lakota helicopters, used in that training, at its Columbus, Miss., facility. Fort Liberty, Fort Walker, Fort Eisenhower: Panel recommends new names for 9 Army bases – The Virginian-Pilot (pilotonline.com)
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