On July 28, 2025, the U.S. Army formally restores the name Fort Hood to the Central Texas post previously known as Fort Cavazos, reversing a rename carried out in 2023 to honor Gen. Richard E. Cavazos - the Army’s first Hispanic four-star general.
The ceremony will take place at the III Armored Corps Headquarters with family members of Col. Robert B. Hood, the new namesake, in attendance. Fort Hood now honors the World War I hero who earned the Distinguished Service Cross.
This move is part of a broader policy shift under President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth that reinstated former base names by choosing new honorees sharing the same surnames - thus circumventing the federal prohibition against celebrating Confederate figures. While critics argue the reversals undermine diversity-focused renamings, supporters say the move preserves historical continuity.
The Cavazos family and many veterans condemned the decision. They say Gen. Cavazos’s legacy deserved permanence - not to be undone for political reasons. For many Hispanic soldiers and local residents, the 2023 name represented progress; the reversal feels like a step backward.
Fort Hood, one of Texas’s largest employers - home to tens of thousands of military personnel, civilian staff, and contractors - has undergone extensive rebranding, signage changes, and logistical adjustments since 2023. The rapid rollback is expected to incur millions in additional costs for signage, uniforms, and infrastructure updates.
Why It Matters
The base's identity has symbolic and economic impact locally, given its size and workforce.
The naming reversal highlights ongoing tensions over how military history and identity are honored, reflecting deeper divisions in national politics.
This is not an isolated case - it’s part of a coordinated rollback affecting seven major military bases nationwide.
Tune in to NewsRadio 1080 KRLD for continuing coverage as the renaming rollout continues and local leaders in Killeen respond.
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