FORT POLK, La. (KALB) - On July 11, 2025, the Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk held a re-designation ceremony to officially install the base as Fort Polk once again.
“In designating this installation as Fort Polk, we recognize the extraordinary career and leadership of General James H. Polk, a soldier whose life defined commitment to country, excellence in command and devotion to soldiers and families.”
Brigadier General Jason Curl, Commanding General of JRTC and Fort Polk
The ceremony comes after President Donald Trump announced plans to restore the names of several military bases that were renamed during the Biden administration. Back in 2022, a congressional commission proposed changing the names of Army bases named after officers of the Confederacy.
“For a little breaking news, we are also going to be restoring the names to Fort Pickett, Fort Hood, Fort Gordon, Fort Rucker, Fort Polk, Fort A.P. Hill and Fort Robert E. Lee. We won a lot of battles out of those forts. It’s no time to change. And I’m superstitious. I like to keep it going.”
President Donald Trump on June 10, 2025, at Fort Bragg
During World War II, late-U.S. Army General James H. Polk led the 3rd Mechanized Cavalry group in reconnaissance operations across France and Germany, earning the Silver Star for his actions under fire.
The late general’s son said he knows his father would be extremely proud and honored to have the newly re-designated Fort Polk named after him.
“His dedication and service to our country and his patriotism have always been an inspiration to our family and to all who knew him. He was a great student of history. He even had the ability to quote Shakespeare from time to time, but he also had very inspiring sayings that he’d come up with, some of which still stick with me. One of them is, ‘Don’t take counsel of your fears.’ I’ve never forgotten that.”
James H. Polk, III
Under the Biden Administration, Fort Polk was renamed Fort Johnson, which honored U.S. Army Sergeant Henry Johnson. He posthumously received a Medal of Honor for his bravery in hand-to-hand combat with the 369th Infantry Regiment, known as the Harlem Hellfighters, in World War I.
“In May 1918, armed with little more than courage, a rifle and a bolo knife, he single-handedly repelled a German raiding party and saved his soldiers’ lives. His name will remain a living history, a living part of our history, and the strength of character of those who serve.”
Brigadier General Jason Curl, Commanding General of JRTC and Fort Polk
JRTC and Fort Polk will honor Sergeant Johnson’s sacrifice and service by dedicating their installation post-exchange to him later this month.
Brigadier General Curl said the cost to replace signage back to Fort Polk was reportedly less than $300,000.