The Three Names Of Fort Lee, Virginia: Why The Base Was Renamed Twice In Two Years

The military installation in Prince George County, Virginia, known for over a century as Fort Lee, has been at the center of a dramatic, rapid-fire identity crisis, undergoing two name changes in less than two years. As of late 2025, the base is once again officially named Fort Lee, but the history behind the current name is a world away from the Confederate general it originally honored. This complex and highly-publicized de-naming process has resulted in the base becoming a national symbol of the evolving narrative of military history, now celebrating a Medal of Honor recipient and Buffalo Soldier. The installation, which serves as the home of the U.S. Army Combined Arms Support Command (CASCOM) and the Sustainment Center of Excellence (SCoE), is one of the most critical posts for Army logistics training. The recent changes have not altered its vital mission, but they have permanently reshaped its legacy. Understanding the current status of the base requires a deep dive into the three distinct names it has held and the trailblazers each one sought to honor.

A Profile of the Installation and Its Namesakes

The military post in Virginia has a history stretching back to World War I, when it was established as Camp Lee. Its core mission has always revolved around logistics and sustainment, making it the central training ground for the Army's support branches. The following is a detailed profile of the installation and the three key figures whose names have been associated with it in recent history:

• Current Name (As of June 2025): Fort Lee
  • Honoree: Private Fitz Lee (1866–1899)
  • Service: U.S. Army Buffalo Soldier, 10th Cavalry Regiment.
  • Distinction: Medal of Honor recipient for his actions in the Spanish-American War during the Battle of Tayacoba in Cuba in 1898, where he helped rescue American troops under heavy fire.
  • Legacy: A Virginia native, Private Fitz Lee represents the valor and sacrifice of African American soldiers who served in segregated units. The current name reclaims the "Fort Lee" designation while honoring a hero of color.
• Interim Name (April 2023–June 2025): Fort Gregg-Adams
  • Honorees: Lieutenant General Arthur J. Gregg (1928–Present) and Lieutenant Colonel Charity Adams Earley (1918–2002)
  • Lt. Gen. Gregg: A trailblazer for desegregation and the first Black three-star general in U.S. military history. He served as the Army’s Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics (G-4).
  • Lt. Col. Adams Earley: The highest-ranking female officer in the Women's Army Corps (WAC) during World War II and the commanding officer of the famous 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion (the "Six Triple Eight").
  • Legacy: This name was the result of the Naming Commission's recommendation to honor two pioneers in Army sustainment and logistics.
• Original Name (1917–2023): Fort Lee
  • Honoree: General Robert E. Lee (1807–1870)
  • Service: General of the Confederate States Army.
  • Legacy: The original name, like many other military installations in the South, was established during a period that honored Confederate figures, a practice the U.S. government sought to end via the de-naming process.

The De-Naming Drama: Fort Lee, Fort Gregg-Adams, and Back Again

The journey of the base's name is a fascinating case study in historical revision and political influence on military policy. The initial push to rename bases honoring Confederate figures began with the establishment of the Naming Commission in 2021. This commission was tasked with identifying and recommending new names for all Department of Defense assets that honored the Confederacy. The commission's recommendation for the Virginia post was Fort Gregg-Adams, honoring two Black officers with profound legacies in Army sustainment. The official redesignation ceremony took place on April 27, 2023, marking a historic moment as the first U.S. military base to be named after two African American officers. The name Fort Gregg-Adams was intended to be permanent, celebrating the essential contributions of logistics professionals like Lieutenant General Arthur J. Gregg and Lieutenant Colonel Charity Adams Earley. However, the political landscape shifted, leading to an extraordinary reversal. In a move that caught many observers by surprise, the installation was renamed *again* in June 2025, reverting to the name Fort Lee. This second change was not a return to honoring the Confederate general, but a deliberate effort to honor a different, lesser-known hero with the same surname: Private Fitz Lee. This second renaming was reported by several sources to be based on an executive order or directive aimed at restoring the names of military bases, but with the crucial difference that the honoree was a Buffalo Soldier and Medal of Honor recipient, effectively neutralizing the controversy while retaining the familiar post name. The rapid change—three distinct historical honorees for the same base name in two years—is unprecedented in modern military history.

The Unchanged and Vital Mission of the Sustainment Center

Despite the high-profile name changes, the mission of the installation remains the same: "Support Starts Here." The base is the undisputed heart of Army sustainment operations and education. It is home to the Combined Arms Support Command (CASCOM), which is responsible for training, educating, and developing adaptive sustainment professionals across the entire Army. CASCOM oversees a vast network of schools and training centers that are essential to keeping the Army ready for global operations. Key organizations and training schools located at the post include:

• U.S. Army Quartermaster School: Responsible for training soldiers in supply, services, and logistics management. The Quartermaster Corps ensures the Army is fed, clothed, and equipped.
• U.S. Army Ordnance School: Focused on the maintenance, repair, and disposal of all Army weapons, vehicles, and ammunition.
• U.S. Army Transportation School: Trains soldiers in the movement of personnel and materiel by air, land, and sea.
• Army Logistics University (ALU): Provides professional military education for officers, warrant officers, and non-commissioned officers across the sustainment branches.
• Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA): The worldwide headquarters for the network of military commissaries is also located on the installation.

The training and doctrine developed at the base are critical to the Army’s overall readiness. Every soldier who serves in the Sustainment Center of Excellence (SCoE)—including those in the Quartermaster, Ordnance, and Transportation Corps—passes through this post for foundational or advanced training. The continuous, high-tempo operations of CASCOM ensure that the Army's logistical backbone remains strong, regardless of the name on the main gate. The future of the installation is secure as a vital hub for Army logistics. While the name has settled, for now, on Fort Lee, the base's identity is now inextricably linked to the stories of three different American heroes—a fact that makes it one of the most historically complex and discussed military posts in the United States. The current name, honoring Private Fitz Lee, ensures that the base's legacy aligns with a narrative of national unity and heroic service.