Commission emphasizes bravery, diversity and heroism in recommending new service member names for Army bases now honoring Confederate rebels

RallyPoint Shared Content — Tue, 31 May 2022 14:38:55 -0400

A federal commission has recommended that the U.S. Army’s home for logisticians in Virginia no longer bear the name of the commander of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia.

Fort Lee instead should be called Fort Gregg-Adams, in honor of two pioneering and distinguished Black service members: Lt. Gen. Arthur J. Gregg, 95, a three-star Army logistician who enlisted at age 17 and served the military logistics community for 36 years; and the late Lt. Col. Charity Adams, who commanded the 855-member 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, the largest unit of African American women to serve overseas in World War II (https://www.rallypoint.com/command-post/no-mail-low-morale-black-women-s-army-corps-unit-earns-medal-of-honor-for-world-war-ii-service-overseas). Adams became one of the highest ranking women to serve during that conflict.

Gregg and Adams join other U.S. military heroes of history that the so-called Naming Commission recommended on May 24 be the new representatives of eight U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) assets and installations now bearing the names of people who fought against the union to defend slavery. (A ninth asset, Fort Bragg in North Carolina, named after a slaveowner and notoriously awful military commander, is named “Fort Liberty,” and so represents a concept rather than a person.)

Removing names of traitors to the nation

The commission, authorized in the FY 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which became law on Jan. 1, 2021, is charged with inventorying DOD-owned or -operated assets for names, symbols, displays, monuments or paraphernalia to determine if they meet commission-established criteria of honoring the Confederate States of America or anyone who volunteered to serve the Confederacy.

“Those who complain that removing the names of traitors from these bases ignores history ought to learn some history themselves,” Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Democrat of Massachusetts, said on the Senate floor on June 29, 2020, in support of the NDAA and for people rallying worldwide for justice following the death of George Floyd and so many other Black Americans at the hands of police and violent racists.

By then the bill had included Warren’s language establishing the Naming Commission and requiring the DOD secretary to remove Confederate names from DOD assets.

“These bases were not named in the years following the Civil War. No,” Warren said. “They were named decades and decades later, during the Jim Crow era, to strengthen a movement that tried to glorify the Confederacy and reinforce White supremacy.”

“Think about that,” she continued, “these bases were named to honor individuals who took up arms against our nation, in a war that killed more than half a million Americans. They took up arms to defend an institution that reduced Black people to property. Naming these bases after Confederate rebels was wrong.”

Honoring loyal and heroic military figures

The eight-person commission, chaired by Navy Adm. Michelle Howard and vice chaired by Army Brig. Gen. Ty Seidule, both retired, is assessing the cost of renaming or removing the asset. The panel also recommends procedures for renaming assets and develops removal plans, taking into account local sensitivities during post visits and receiving 34,000 name suggestions from the public.

The panel’s other name-change recommendations are:

Fort Benning in Georgia to Fort Moore, after Lt. Gen. Hal and Julia Moore. This would be first base also named after a military spouse. Seidule said during a May 24 media roundtable that Moore served for 32 years, receiving the Distinguished Service Cross, the second highest medal for gallantry in combat in the battle of Ia Drang in Vietnam. “Julia Moore served the nation just as much as her spouse,” Seidule said. “Her advocacy changed the Army and created the casualty notification program and later survivor support networks. With Hal and Julia Moore, we recognize the Army family that serves the nation together.”

Fort Gordon in Georgia to Fort Eisenhower, after Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower. Seidule noted that Eisenhower started at West Point and spent his life in service, leading the D-Day landings in Normandy during World War II and serving as president during the nuclear age.

Fort A.P. Hill in Virginia to Fort Walker, after Dr. Mary Edwards Walker. Serving during the Civil War, Walker was the Army’s first female surgeon. She received the Medal of Honor for staying with wounded soldiers after the Army unit departed, leaving her vulnerable to enemy capture. She spent four months in a prisoner of war camp. “No women were allowed in the Army during the Civil War, but she insisted on serving even though she could not wear the blue uniform,” Seidule said.

Fort Hood in Texas to Fort Cavazos, after Gen. Richard E. Cavazos. A native Texan, Lt. Cavazos in Korea led his company on three separate charges of an enemy position, returning to the field five times to evacuate wounded soldiers before accepting treatment for his wounds. For that action, Seidule said, Cavazos received the Distinguished Service Cross, or DSC. He later served as a battalion commander in Vietnam, where he received a second DSC for rallying his ambushed soldiers and organizing a counterattack. He finished his career as a four-star general.

Fort Polk in Louisiana to Fort Johnson, after Sgt. William Henry Johnson. As one of the world’s premier training sites for light forces, Seidule said the commission named this installation after someone to inspire soldiers in training. As related by Seidule, this is Johnson’s story, and why he received the Medal of Honor: “On May 14,1918, in France, a German raiding party attacked Johnson and another soldier. Despite a grenade wound, Johnson attacked the Germans. First, he threw all his grenades. Then, he fired all his rifle ammunition. When he ran out of bullets, he used the butt of his rifle as a club until it was smashed to bits. Finally, he took out his bolo knife to save his comrade. He single handedly engaged two dozen enemy soldiers despite suffering 21 separate wounds. Teddy Roosevelt called him one of the five bravest soldiers of the Great War.”

Fort Pickett in Virginia to Fort Barfoot, after Tech Sgt. Van T. Barfoot. On May 23, 1944, Barfoot’s unit set out to attack an entrenched German position in Northern Italy. According to Seidule, Barfoot moved out alone, against the enemy’s left flank, taking out three separate machine gun emplacements, capturing 17 prisoners by morning. During a three-tank German counterattack that afternoon, he took a bazooka and disabled one tank at close range, forcing the other tanks to retreat. He brought two grievously wounded soldiers to safety across a mile of contested terrain, for which he received the Medal of Honor. He served for 34 years, retiring as a colonel.

Fort Rucker in Alabama to Fort Novosel, after Chief Warrant Officer 4 Michael J. Novosel, Senior. Starting his military career flying B-29s in World War II, Novosel is a fitting representative of the home of Army aviation, Seidule said. With a son who served alongside him, he also represents generational service. As a 43-year-old reservist, Novosel volunteered for active duty, resigning his Air Force lieutenant colonel commission to join the Army as a warrant officer and helicopter pilot. Seidule noted he flew more than 2,500 extraction missions in Vietnam, rescuing more than 5,500 wounded soldiers. During one “extraordinary” mission on Oct. 2, 1969, Seidule said Novosel saved 29 men despite suffering severe wounds, receiving the Medal of Honor. On another mission, he rescued his son, a fellow helicopter pilot. Later, his son rescued him.

Seidule was asked during the media roundtable why Harriet Tubman’s name was not recommended. Among many other roles in history, Tubman was a cook, spy and scout for the Union Army during the Civil War, according to her biography on the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway website. In 1863, she became the first woman to lead an armed expedition in the war, freeing 700 people held as slaves.

Seidule said Tubman made the short list of 87 names, but that there were too many heroes and too few assets to name. He said the commission could select names from those remaining on the list, including Tubman’s, for recommendations in renaming some 750 other DOD assets associated with the Confederacy.

The commission’s plan, containing a full list of asset-change recommendations, costs and other details, is due to Congress on Oct. 1. Seidule said the DOD secretary has until Jan. 1, 2024, to implement the plan.

Learn more

“Naming Commission announces Army base name recommendations,” news release, May 24, 2022, https://www.thenamingcommission.gov/press-center

The FY 2021 National Defense Authorization Act, https://www.congress.gov/116/plaws/publ283/PLAW-116publ283.pdf

“Warren delivers floor speech on her amendment to rename all bases and other military assets honoring the Confederacy,” news release, June 30, 2020, https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warren-delivers-floor-speech-on-her-amendment-to-rename-all-bases-and-other-military-assets-honoring-the-confederacy

RallyPoint

Response by SSG Roger Ayscue made Jun 1 at 2022 2:28 AM

SSG Roger Ayscue — Wed, 01 Jun 2022 02:28:52 -0400

It could have been much worse. I still think that bases such as Fort Bragg should have stayed Fort Bragg. No one that complained about it even knew who Braxton Bragg was.....It has been Fort Bragg for decades and hundreds of thousands of US Paratroopers served at BRAGG. It will always be Bragg in the popular lexicon and no amount of politics will change that

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jun 1 at 2022 8:08 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Wed, 01 Jun 2022 20:08:02 -0400

This B>S. US Congress recognized the members of the CSA as Bonafide veterans way back around 1900, I think.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2022 11:07 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Jun 2022 23:07:56 -0400

I think it is retarded. Just make it easy and name them the way the Navy does...after the city or place it is located. Surprised that they haven't come after the White House but it is next.

Response by Sgt Joe Ferguson made Jun 2 at 2022 7:21 AM

Sgt Joe Ferguson — Thu, 02 Jun 2022 07:21:08 -0400

Why are DEMOCRATS so hell bent on erasing their own history? Most if not all the CSA Generals and Leadership were DEMOCRATS, owned slaves and were members of the KKK. Look at them today, same tactics, destroy American (aka. The Union) traditions and customs, segregate by color and status, place fear and control (Mandates) on the population, ect. ect. “Those who do not know history are doomed to repeat it.” ― Edmund Burke

Response by SGT Mark Anderson made Jun 3 at 2022 7:02 AM

SGT Mark Anderson — Fri, 03 Jun 2022 07:02:42 -0400

Ironically, quite a few African-Americans have direct Caucasian ancestors who served in the Confederate armed forces. Moreover, many Native Americans and Hispanics had Confederate sympathies - there was no love lost between the Federal government and them. Minorities, if they check the National Archives and records at the state and local level, may be surprised when they see that they would qualify for the Sons of Confederate Veterans. In these cases those who disparage the Confederacy are disparaging their own ancestors.

Response by CMSgt Marcus Falleaf made Jun 4 at 2022 7:53 AM

CMSgt Marcus Falleaf — Sat, 04 Jun 2022 07:53:45 -0400

Oh great, changing the names again. Well, you have to call girls guys and guys girls so it makes about the same amount of sense.

Response by PFC Joe Mansfield made Jun 4 at 2022 8:07 AM

PFC Joe Mansfield — Sat, 04 Jun 2022 08:07:45 -0400

Changing the names of the Military Installations is WITHOUT A DOUBT the dumbest thing I’ve heard since no one gave an order to turn on the bilge pumps and the tank sunk in the Elb River!! The WOKE Dummies want to change the names of every Installation I was Stationed! BS!!
It’s our History they want to Kill and Bury! Again BS!!

Response by SPC Oscar TorresPlata made Jun 5 at 2022 10:05 PM

SPC Oscar TorresPlata — Sun, 05 Jun 2022 22:05:20 -0400

American history should be what it stands for and those that have given their life's and heroism during all wars and conflicts. Prestige and recognizing men and women just because of financial support or prestige should no longer be a part of our history! America stands for the people regardless of the origin! AMERICAN Military men and women know this now after serving with many diverse nationalities! Whom shared battles hand in hand in different parts of the world by now!

Response by MSG Stan Hutchison made Jun 7 at 2022 10:13 AM

MSG Stan Hutchison — Tue, 07 Jun 2022 10:13:10 -0400

"“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose By any other name would smell as sweet.”"
WS.

A complicated problem, one I fear will not be settled for a very long time.

Response by LTC Tom Jones made Jun 13 at 2022 8:57 AM

LTC Tom Jones — Mon, 13 Jun 2022 08:57:54 -0400

Colossal waste of time, effort and, especially, money. That is, it's not just base (and ship) names, rather, it includes street names. The city of Toronto, Canada, suggested a year ago that a similar imitative there would cost millions of dollars:

https://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/2021/07/13/spending-millions-to-rename-dundas-and-other-streets-will-not-fix-the-real-inequities-in-toronto-heres-an-idea-that-might-help.html

While this is a harsh comparison, the fact remains that changing a single street sign (given cost of fabrication and installation) will generally run between $100 and $200 each. Don't know how many "Longstreet Road" signs there are on Fort Bragg currently but you can bet there are several. Have to wonder, too, what impact this whole thing will have on the postal service.

Meanwhile, as this hamster wheel turns, the enemies of our great nation are focusing their resources on filling the void that we are so rapidly creating in world leadership and influence through woke initiatives such as this.

Opinion | Spending millions to rename Dundas and other streets will not fix the real inequities...

A rough calculation suggests it would cost more than $20 million to rename Dundas and other streets deemed problematic.

Response by LTC Tom Jones made Jun 13 at 2022 11:19 PM

LTC Tom Jones — Mon, 13 Jun 2022 23:19:54 -0400

Suggest the proper title is "Commission wastes a ton of time, effort and money to support a credo of political correctness leading to an eventual level of waste that few (Commissioners included) can even imagine." This is the kind of woke craziness that have our Chinese, Iranian, et al, adversaries laughing their collective a$$es off.
https://i.cbc.ca/1.5 [login to see] 111216!/cpImage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/16x9_780/north-korea-china.jpg

Lady pictured here saying, "Yes, it's true. They're gonna call it Fort Liberty, and, yes, we are already preparing the bids to redo the signage and the maps."

north-korea-china.jpg

Response by SPC Zoe Jane Halo made Jun 22 at 2022 2:08 PM

SPC Zoe Jane Halo — Wed, 22 Jun 2022 14:08:40 -0400

It’s astounding, the number of folks who swore allegiance to this nation, swearing and pledging their lives if necessary, the defense of this nations ideals, who will get mad and throw a tantrum if we refuse to honor what amounted to a 4 year temper tantrum because the north was outlawing slavery. Now you can claim all you want that it wasn’t about slavery but all but two of the states that seceded literally call out slavery in either their articles of secession or their arrivals of confederation. the folks those military posts were named after were soldiers that fought AGAINST the United States of America. Are they veterans of the USA? Yes. Do they deserve the prestige of having military posts named after them? No.

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Jul 29 at 2022 11:22 AM

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL — Fri, 29 Jul 2022 11:22:40 -0400

Thanks for sharing.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Jul 30 at 2022 3:47 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Sat, 30 Jul 2022 15:47:22 -0400

Not that I have a vote. While the two Service members mentioned certainly led honorable careers, in my opinion race has no place.

I do not care what ethnic background someone has, there are many recipients of the MOH, why not use those who stepped up under fire to save there brothers and sisters often losing their own lives. We have recipients of all ethnic backgrounds.

Response by GySgt Charles O'Connell made Aug 20 at 2022 2:38 PM

GySgt Charles O'Connell — Sat, 20 Aug 2022 14:38:25 -0400

How about we just number all military installations based on when they were established? There ya go, no names, nobody's feelings get hurt.

Response by TSgt Ed Turner made Sep 2 at 2022 1:02 PM

TSgt Ed Turner — Fri, 02 Sep 2022 13:02:10 -0400

It is said that civil wars are the most uncivil of all. Up to 750,000 Americans died in the American Civil War, and it was not until 1898 that the wounds of that conflict showed positive signs of being overcome. It was in the spirit of reconciliation that some military installations were named after Confederate officers.
That purpose has been served. If the renaming of bases can find new namesakes of undeniable stature who have made credible contributions that can identify with the particular base's current or contemporary mission, go for it. Whatever one thinks of the former Confederacy, it is long gone, and we are all better off that it was defeated. General Hood wasn't that good anyway, so why not find a namesake who was good at cavalry or armored warfare?

Response by MSgt Michael Ivey made Sep 2 at 2022 10:19 PM

MSgt Michael Ivey — Fri, 02 Sep 2022 22:19:42 -0400

The ignorance of leadership in the Dept of Defense is astonishing. “Wokeness” is all this crap is. I bet 99% of those damn fools have no idea WTF they are doing! That goes from Biden right on down the line. No real understanding of History. Or I should say, don’t care! Just for the record, just because someone fought in the Confederate states does NOT make them a traitor. I would gladly, at the age of 65, stand and fight against the regime in the White House now!

Response by SFC Jerald Bottcher made Sep 13 at 2022 5:23 PM

SFC Jerald Bottcher — Tue, 13 Sep 2022 17:23:41 -0400

One thing that a lot of commenters are missing the point on is this. They may feel the names are just fine, full of history and tradition. What they are refusing to see is the people who are offended by those who rebelled against the country for the purpose of keeping slavery (They may argue it was for "States Rights", but in reality was the the States Rights to allow slavery and the economic system it served).
I personally say if we are going to name forts and bases after people, they should be those who exemplify the best traditions of our history. not named after generals in a matter to appease the lost cause revisionists.
Why don't we have a base named after Pershing, Bradley, Abrams, Maybe Patton, how about Audy Murphy. the most decorated vet of WW2. Naming a base after Hal Moore - fantastic he was a honest to god hero and a great leader who cared about ALL of his men.

Response by MSgt Harry Coleman made Oct 10 at 2022 8:54 AM

MSgt Harry Coleman — Mon, 10 Oct 2022 08:54:16 -0400

It's all just bullshit