The Fort Pickett Army base on Friday changed its name to Fort Barfoot, in the first of nine expected name changes for Army bases named after Confederates.
The Army National Guard installation in Blackston, Virginia, was originally named after Confederate General George Pickett, who led “Pickett’s Charge” at the Battle of Gettysburg, The New York Times (NYT) reported.
Pickett’s Charge is one of the most famous attacks of the Civil War and is known for being one of the war’s most climactic charges, though it proved a “monumental disaster” for the Confederate side.
Colonel Van Barfoot was a Native American who served in World War II and is a Medal of Honor recipient. “Sgt. Barfoot’s extraordinary heroism, demonstration of magnificent valor, and aggressive determination in the face of point-blank fire are a perpetual inspiration to his fellow soldiers,” Barfoot’s Medal of Honor citation reads.
“It was common for camps and forts to be named after local features or veterans with a regional connection, which many times meant bases in the South were named after Confederate soldiers,” Lieutenant General Jon A. Jensen said during Friday’s renaming event.
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