Naming Commission

Naming Commission
Name	Naming Commission
Formed	2021
Jurisdiction	United States Department of Defense
Chief1 name	Michelle Howard
Chief1 position	Chair

Naming Commission. Formally known as The Commission on the Naming of Items of the United States Department of Defense That Commemorate the Confederate States of America or Any Person Who Served Voluntarily with the Confederate States of America, it was an independent commission established by the United States Congress to identify and recommend renaming of U.S. military assets that honored the Confederacy. Created through the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021, the commission was tasked with providing a detailed plan to remove names, symbols, and monuments associated with the Confederate States of America from Department of Defense property. Its work culminated in a final report submitted to Congress, leading to the renaming of numerous U.S. Army installations and other assets.

Background and establishment

The movement to reexamine public commemorations of the Confederacy gained significant momentum following national events such as the Charleston church shooting and protests after the death of George Floyd. For years, advocacy groups like the NAACP and members of Congress, including Elizabeth Warren and the late John McCain, had pushed for changes to military base names honoring Confederate generals. This effort was directly opposed by the Trump administration, which defended the existing names. The legislative breakthrough came with the passage of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021, which included a provision mandating the creation of the commission. The bill was passed with veto-proof majorities, overriding a veto by President Donald Trump, and was signed into law in January 2021.

Scope and mandate

The commission's mandate was explicitly defined by the NDAA. Its scope encompassed all assets under the jurisdiction of the Department of Defense that commemorated the Confederate States of America or any person who voluntarily served with it. This included the nine major U.S. Army installations such as Fort Bragg and Fort Benning, along with any other buildings, streets, ships, or equipment bearing such names. The commission was required to develop a detailed plan for the removal, renaming, or modification of these assets, with specific cost estimates and procedures. It was explicitly prohibited from considering the renaming of the U.S. Naval Academy's Bancroft Hall, which is named for historian George Bancroft.

Process and methodology

Chaired by retired U.S. Navy Admiral Michelle Howard, the commission undertook a systematic, evidence-based process. It began by compiling a comprehensive inventory of all potentially affected assets across the armed services, which involved extensive research in military archives and consultation with each service branch. The commission then engaged in a robust public outreach campaign, holding town halls at affected installations like Fort Hood and soliciting input from military personnel, community leaders, historians, and the general public. It also consulted with entities like the American Battle Monuments Commission and the National Park Service. Recommendations were developed based on criteria including the historical significance of the namesake's connection to the Confederacy, the wishes of local communities, and the potential costs and logistical challenges of renaming.

Key recommendations and changes

In its final report to the Congress and the Secretary of Defense, the commission recommended renaming nine major Army posts. These included changing Fort Benning to Fort Moore, honoring Lieutenant General Hal Moore and his wife Julia Moore; Fort Bragg to Fort Liberty; and Fort Hood to Fort Cavazos, for General Richard E. Cavazos. It also recommended renaming hundreds of other minor assets, from streets and buildings to ships. The commission further suggested that new names should honor individuals who exemplified the core values of the U.S. military, with a specific emphasis on diversity, recommending figures from a wide range of backgrounds, including Buffalo Soldiers, Medal of Honor recipients, and pioneers like Harriet Tubman and Ronald McNair.

Public and political reactions

Reactions to the commission's work were deeply polarized. The effort received strong support from organizations like the Military Officers Association of America and many members of Congress, including Senator Tim Kaine and Representative Anthony Brown. However, it faced significant opposition from some political figures, such as Senators Tom Cotton and Josh Hawley, who criticized the effort as divisive and an erasure of history. Some veterans' groups and local communities near bases like Fort Rucker also expressed attachment to the traditional names. The recommendations were ultimately endorsed by the Biden administration, with Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin implementing the renaming plan.

Impact and legacy

The implementation of the commission's recommendations represents one of the most substantial efforts to reconfigure the U.S. military's commemorative landscape. The renaming process, managed by the Department of Defense Naming Commission Implementation Working Group, has had a tangible impact on military culture and identity. Its legacy includes establishing a formal precedent and methodology for the Department of Defense to address historically contentious symbols. The commission's work has also influenced broader national conversations about memory and public space, paralleling actions taken by institutions like the United States Navy in renaming ships and the United States Military Academy at West Point in modifying its displays. Its final report stands as a significant document in the ongoing examination of how the nation memorializes its complex history.

Category:2021 establishments in the United States Category:United States Department of Defense Category:Commissions established by the United States Congress