Meeting at their biannual convention, Texas members of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the largest Irish American organization in the United States, have in a resolution called for Ft. Hood to be renamed in honor of Audie Murphy, the most decorated combat soldier of WW II. The 2021 National Defense Authorization Act mandates renaming any U.S. military assets that commemorate the Confederacy or those who served in the Confederacy. Ft. Hood is currently named for Confederate General John Bell Hood.
The Texas Hibernians noted that Audie Murphy, a native of Kingston, TX, was awarded an unprecedented 28 medals for valor, including America’s highest award, the Medal of Honor. The Hibernian resolution states “We concur with both Texas Congressmen Rep. Filemon Vela that Ft. Hood ‘should be renamed for someone whose conduct demonstrates the best of American bravery and selflessness,’ and Rep. Crenshaw who stated that in naming military installation we ‘find heroes who better reflect the culture of the modern military and have a connection to the bases or units from which they served.’In renaming Fort Hood to honor Audie Murphy, the Pentagon will be honoring a fitting example of courage, sacrifice, and devotion to inspire the current and future generations of soldiers.“
The Texas AOH resolution also noted the bravery of another Texas Soldier and Medal of Honor Recipient, Army Master Sgt. Roy Benavidez. Master Sgt. Benavidez was a member of America’s elite ‘Green Berets’ whose home base then and now is Ft. Bragg, NC. Ft. Bragg is also on the base renaming list as it is named for Confederate General Braxton Bragg. The Hibernian asked the commission to give serious consideration to renaming Ft. Bragg for Master Sgt. Benavidez.