Fort Benning announced details Friday regarding the base’s renaming ceremony after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reverted the name from Fort Moore.
The base, long named Fort Benning after Confederate General Henry L. Benning, was renamed Fort Moore in 2023. That name honored Lt. Gen. Hal Moore and his wife Julia.
Hegseth changed it back earlier this year, but announced it would be named after U.S. Army Cpl. Fred G. Benning, who the release says, “served with heroism during World War I,” defense officials said in a news release.
The renaming ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. on April 16 at McGinnis-Wickam Hall on Karker Street, Building 4, at Fort Benning, according to a news release.
The release says Benning was born in Norfolk, Nebraska, in 1900 and enlisted in the army at the age of 17.
“After his platoon commander was killed and senior non-commissioned officers wounded, Benning took command of his platoon and led 20 Soldiers through heavy fire to secure their objective on Hill 240 near Exermont, France,” the release says.
Benning was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his heroism, according to the release. The ceremony will feature a colors casing and uncasing and the unveiling of a memorial plaque, according to the release.
Remarks will be made by Maneuver Center of Excellence commanding general Maj. Gen. Colin Tuley and Benning’s granddaughter, Sue Conger-Williams, the release says.
The event is, “open to anyone with, or who can obtain, installation access,” according to Fort Benning personnel.
This story comes to GPB through a reporting partnership with Columbus Ledger-Enquirer.
