Congressional Naming Commission Report Read the Full Report Here Congressional Naming Commission Report Read the Full Report Here Modifying Historical Assets In accordance with Department of Defense directives, and based on recommendations by the Congressional Naming Commission, mandated by the Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act, the United States Military Academy continues its efforts to rename assets on West Point that commemorate or memorialize the Confederacy or those who voluntarily served with the Confederacy.To date, we have taken the following actions:Lee Road renamed to Grant Road, honoring President and General of the Armies Ulysses S. Grant (USMA 1843). Beauregard Place renamed to Davidson Place, honoring Lieutenant General Garrison Davidson (USMA ’27), combat engineer during World War II and the Korean War and USMA’s 44th SuperintendentHardee Place renamed to Rogers Place, honoring General Bernard Rogers (USMA ’40), 28th Chief of Staff of the Army and NATO Supreme Allied CommanderLee Housing Area renamed Grant Housing AreaIn collaboration with the USMA Class of 1957, a quote at Honor Plaza attributed to Robert E. Lee was changed to a quote from Dwight D. EisenhowerRemoved a portrait of Robert E. Lee in Confederate uniform from Jefferson Hall (the USMA Library) and placed in storage at the West Point Museum. Concurrently, we moved an accompanying portrait of Ulysses S. Grant from the library to Grant Hall.Removed the stone bust of Lee at Reconciliation Plaza and placed it in storage on post, while moving the accompanying bust of Grant to the front of Grant Hall.Removed the bronze triptych at the main entrance of Bartlett Hall and place in storage on post until a more suitable location is determined.Additionally, in collaboration with the Class of 1961, we are finalizing plans to modify stone markers within Reconciliation Plaza to comply with the Commission's recommendations, while still conveying the Plaza's central message of reconciliation. About the Naming Commission Final Report The William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (Public Law No: 116-283) [hereafter FY21 NDAA], at Title III Operation and Maintenance, Subtitle E Other Matters, Section 370, directed the establishment of a commission relating to assigning, modifying, or removing of names, symbols, displays, monuments, and paraphernalia to assets of the Department of Defense (DoD) that commemorate the Confederate States of America or any person who served voluntarily with the Confederate States of America.As mandated by Section 370, the Commission is comprised of eight members – four appointed by the Secretary of Defense, one appointed by the Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), one appointed by the Ranking Member of the SASC, one appointed by the Chair man of the House Armed Services Committee (HASC), and one appointed by the Ranking Member of the HASC. Section 370 at subsection (c) requires the Commission to perform the five duties related to the assigning, modifying, or removing of Confederacy-affiliated names, symbols, displays, monuments, and paraphernalia within the Department of Defense. About the U.S. Military Academy at West Point The U.S. Military Academy's mission is to build, educate, train, and inspire the Corps of Cadets to be commissioned leaders of character committed to the Army Values and ready for a lifetime of service to the Army and Nation. BackgroundWest Point ranks amongst the oldest and most venerated of our national institutions. In seniority it surpasses the Smithsonian, the National Parks, and all but four Executive departments. Likewise, it holds a high rank and prominent place among American educational institutions – few colleges surpass it in its tenure of service or in the achievements of its graduates. Its storied history serving the defense of the United States makes it especially incongruent for Confederate commemoration.On the grounds of West Point, future soldiers train amidst the memories of past leaders. Cadets live in barracks named after Ulysses Grant, Douglas MacArthur, John Pershing, Benjamin O. Davis, William Sherman, and Winfield Scott. Throughout the grounds, plaques adorn almost every building and entrance, honoring the names and lives of West Point graduates who demonstrated exceptional devotion to the defense of the United States and the advancement of its ideals. Commemorating the Confederacy alongside those graduates honors men who fought against the United States of America, and whose cause sought to destroy the nation as we know it.The Commissioners do not make these recommendations with any intention of erasing history. The facts of the past remain and the Commissioners are confident the history of the Civil War will continue to be taught at all service academies with all the quality and complex detail our national past deserves. Rather, they make these recommendations to affirm West Point’s long tradition of educating future generations of America’s military leaders to represent the best of our national ideals.Cadets of the present who devote their lives to national service should do so in an environment and setting that honors the greatest examples, traditions, and leaders of our past. Confederacy-Affiliated Assets The Commission identified a number of Confederacy-affiliated assets that required renaming, relocating, modification or removal, including: Hardee Place, Beauregard Place, Lee Barracks, Lee Housing Area, Lee Area Child Development Center, Lee Road, Lee Gate, portrait of Robert E. Lee in Confederate uniform, Reconciliation Plaza, Honor Plaza monument, historical triptych at the entrance of Bartlett Hall. Portrait of Robert E. Lee Status: Completed The Commission unanimously agrees the following paraphernalia should be relocated or removed: the portrait of Robert E. Lee in Confederate uniform with the rank of general indicated on the plaque, currently displayed in Jefferson Hall. No doubts exist that Robert E. Lee fought for the Confederacy: he was its most effective and storied leader, and by the end of the Civil War, Lee had risen to General in Chief of the Armies of the Confederate States. Before the Civil War, he served in the U.S. Army for over 30 years. At the start of the Civil War, Lee turned down the post of top field commander of the U.S. Army and chose to fight for the Confederacy. The consequences of his decisions were wide-ranging and destructive. Lee’s armies were responsible for the deaths of more U.S. soldiers than practically any other enemy in our nation’s history. View Larger Image of the Portrait of Robert E. Lee Reconciliation Plaza Status: In Progress The Commission unanimously finds that Reconciliation Plaza at West Point falls within the remit of the Commission and recommends it be reviewed by the academy to remove the engraved images that commemorate individuals who voluntarily served in the Confederacy. In collaboration with the Class of 1961, West Point will review the stone markers within Reconciliation Plaza that the Commission determined to commemorate the Confederacy and modify those markers with appropriate language and images that comply with the Commission’s recommendations while still conveying the Plaza’s central message of reconciliation. We will work closely with the Class of 1961 to honor their contributions to their alma mater, while maintaining clear and open communication with all our alumni throughout this process. Once the modified language and images are approved, we will begin refacing the affected markers in early Spring 2023. View Larger Image of Reconciliation Plaza Davidson Place Status: Completed The Commission unanimously recommends that the Secretary of Defense authorize the Secretary of the Army to commence the renaming process at West Point using its long-standing memorialization process.Beauregard Place has been renamed Davidson Place after Lieutenant General Garrison Davidson.Before the Civil War, Pierre Gustav Toutant Beauregard had long been an ardent supporter of enslavement, secession and rebellion. He briefly served as the superintendent of West Point but was fired after five days and he joined the Confederacy. During the Civil War, Beauregard served as a Confederate volunteer and was known as one of the Confederacy’s foremost military leaders. After the war, he considered fleeing overseas but ultimately stayed, due to the leniency offered to former Confederates. View a Larger Image of Davidson Pl Lee Barracks Status: In Progress The Commission unanimously recommends that the Secretary of Defense authorize the Secretary of the Army to commence the renaming process at West Point using its long-standing memorialization process. No doubts exist that Robert E. Lee fought for the Confederacy: he was its most effective and storied leader, and by the end of the Civil War, Lee had risen to General in Chief of the Armies of the Confederate States. Before the Civil War, he served in the U.S. Army for over 30 years. At the start of the Civil War, Lee turned down the post of top field commander of the U.S. Army and chose to fight for the Confederacy. The consequences of his decisions were wide-ranging and destructive. Lee’s armies were responsible for the deaths of more U.S. soldiers than practically any other enemy in our nation’s history. View Larger Image of Lee Barracks Grant Housing Area Status: Completed The Commission unanimously recommends that the Secretary of Defense authorize the Secretary of the Army to commence the renaming process at West Point using its long-standing memorialization process.Previously named after Robert E. Lee, Lee Housing Area has been renamed Grant Housing Area.No doubts exist that Robert E. Lee fought for the Confederacy: he was its most effective and storied leader, and by the end of the Civil War, Lee had risen to General in Chief of the Armies of the Confederate States. Before the Civil War, he served in the U.S. Army for over 30 years. At the start of the Civil War, Lee turned down the post of top field commander of the U.S. Army and chose to fight for the Confederacy. The consequences of his decisions were wide-ranging and destructive. Lee’s armies were responsible for the deaths of more U.S. soldiers than practically any other enemy in our nation’s history. View Larger Image of Grant Housing Area USMA School Age Center Status: Completed The Commission unanimously recommends that the Secretary of Defense authorize the Secretary of the Army to commence the renaming process at West Point using its long-standing memorialization process.Previously named after Robert E. Lee, Lee Area Child Development Center has been renamed USMA School Age Center.No doubts exist that Robert E. Lee fought for the Confederacy: he was its most effective and storied leader, and by the end of the Civil War, Lee had risen to General in Chief of the Armies of the Confederate States. Before the Civil War, he served in the U.S. Army for over 30 years. At the start of the Civil War, Lee turned down the post of top field commander of the U.S. Army and chose to fight for the Confederacy. The consequences of his decisions were wide-ranging and destructive. Lee’s armies were responsible for the deaths of more U.S. soldiers than practically any other enemy in our nation’s history. View Larger Image of USMA School Age Center Grant Road Status: Completed The Commission unanimously recommends that the Secretary of Defense authorize the Secretary of the Army to commence the renaming process at West Point using its long-standing memorialization process.Previously named after Robert E. Lee, Lee Road has been renamed Grant Road.No doubts exist that Robert E. Lee fought for the Confederacy: he was its most effective and storied leader, and by the end of the Civil War, Lee had risen to General in Chief of the Armies of the Confederate States. Before the Civil War, he served in the U.S. Army for over 30 years. At the start of the Civil War, Lee turned down the post of top field commander of the U.S. Army and chose to fight for the Confederacy. The consequences of his decisions were wide-ranging and destructive. Lee’s armies were responsible for the deaths of more U.S. soldiers than practically any other enemy in our nation’s history. View Larger Image of Grant Road Lee Gate Status: Completed The Commission unanimously recommends that the Secretary of Defense authorize the Secretary of the Army to commence the renaming process at West Point using its long-standing memorialization process. No doubts exist that Robert E. Lee fought for the Confederacy: he was its most effective and storied leader, and by the end of the Civil War, Lee had risen to General in Chief of the Armies of the Confederate States. Before the Civil War, he served in the U.S. Army for over 30 years. At the start of the Civil War, Lee turned down the post of top field commander of the U.S. Army and chose to fight for the Confederacy. The consequences of his decisions were wide-ranging and destructive. Lee’s armies were responsible for the deaths of more U.S. soldiers than practically any other enemy in our nation’s history. View Larger Image of Lee Gate Rogers Place Status: Completed The Commission unanimously recommends that the Secretary of Defense authorize the Secretary of the Army to commence the renaming process at West Point using its long-standing memorialization process.Previously named after USMA commandant William Hardee, Hardee Place has been renamed Rogers Place.General Bernard W. Rogers graduated 13th of his class of June 1943 and served as the First Captain of the Corps of Cadets. After completing the Infantry Officer Basic Course he was assigned back to USMA to teach economics, government, and history. After serving as an aide from 1945-1947, he attended the University of Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar and then commanded the 3d Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment in Korea from 1952-1953. View Larger Image of Rogers Place Bartlett Hall Triptych Status: Completed The Commission agrees the depiction of historical United States events on the triptych mounted at the entrance to Bartlett Hall contains elements that fall within the remit of the Commission. Two of the panels specifically commemorate people who voluntarily served in the Confederacy: Lee, Stuart, Jackson and Brooke. The Commission believes these markers should be modified to remove the names and images from the panels that specifically commemorate individuals who voluntarily served in the Confederacy. View Larger Image of the Bartlett Hall Triptych Panel Quote in Honor Plaza Status: In Progress There is a monument referred to as “Honor Plaza” that consists of a central panel engraved with the West Point Honor Code, surrounded by quotes from notable Americans concerning the ideal of honor. In collaboration with the Class of 1957, West Point’s Memorialization, History, and Museum Committee has selected and replaced a quote about honor from Robert E. Lee at Honor Plaza with a quote from President Dwight D. Eisenhower, Class of 1915. West Point has removed the stone slab with Lee’s quote and placed in storage on post as of late 2023. In collaboration with the Class of 1957, West Point’s Memorialization, History, and Museum Committee has selected an appropriate quote from Class of 1915 graduate and President Dwight D. Eisenhower to replace the quote from Robert E. Lee at Honor Plaza. We will work closely with the Class of 1957 to honor their contributions to their alma mater, while maintaining clear and open communication with all our alumni throughout this process. View Larger Image of the Quote in Honor Plaza Congressional Naming Commission FAQs I'd like to know more about the triptych identified in the report. There is a triptych (three bronze panels) at one of the entrances of Bartlett Hall that depicts the history of the United States. The artwork was dedicated on June 3, 1965, and each panel measures 11’ X 5’ each. As part of the middle panel titled “One Nation, Under God, Indivisible,” there is a small section that shows a Ku Klux Klan member.The artist, Laura Gardin Fraser (Sept 14, 1889 – Aug 13, 1966), was an American sculptor who was commissioned to design the panels and wanted to create art that depicted “historical incidents or persons” that symbolized the principal events of that time, thereby documenting both tragedy and triumph in our nation’s history.Among many other symbols, the triptych also includes individuals who were instrumental in shaping principal events of that time, and symbols like the “Tree of Life” that depict how our nation has flourished despite its tragedies. The artwork was originally dedicated to West Point graduates who served in World War II and Korea.The academy strives to graduate diverse leaders of character for our Nation. Learn More about the Triptych What did you do with Grant and Lee’s portraits? The academy has removed the portrait of Robert E. Lee in Confederate uniform from Jefferson Hall, the U.S. Military Academy's library, and placed it in storage at the West Point Museum. The accompanying portrait of Ulysses S. Grant has been moved from the library to Grant Hall. Are you erasing history? Ultimately, the Commission’s recommendations and West Point's actions are not intended to erase history, but rather, to affirm the academy’s long tradition of educating, training, and inspiring leaders of character who represent the best of our national ideals, our Army Values and the West Point ideals of Duty, Honor, Country. As an institution charged with developing the next generation of leaders for the Army and our nation, we do not shy away from difficult conversations and will continue teaching our Nation’s history, with all its tragedies and triumphs and never forgetting the sacrifices made by so many along the way. How were the new names determined? The process of renaming buildings and infrastructures on the West Point installation is a deliberate and extensive that is conducted with the intent to determine appropriate names that best exemplify our Army Values and national and West Point ideals of Duty, Honor, Country.Led by West Point’s Memorialization, History, and Museum Committee, the selection process is consistent with the approach of the DoD Naming Commission, as well as Army and West Point memorialization regulations, to ensure that names considered by the committee appropriately reflect the courage, values, and sacrifices and demographics of our graduates and those who served in our Armed Forces. Consideration is given to local significance of names and their potential to motivate and inspire future cadets. Army and West Point’s memorialization regulations provide the Academy Superintendent the authority for all naming decisions consequent to the DoD Naming Commission Report; however, all decisions are briefed to the Department of the Army prior to final implementation. What did you rename the streets, buildings and areas? West Point’s Memorialization, History, and Museum Committee has chosen names to replace the streets, buildings, and areas throughout West Point currently named for individuals who served in the Confederacy.Lee Road is now Grant RoadBeauregard Place is now Davidson PlaceHardee Place is now Rogers PlaceLee Housing Area is now Grant Housing AreaLee Child Development Center is now USMA School Age CenterLee Barracks (currently under renovation)Lee Gate (currently under renovation)The renaming process began in early 2023. Where can I find out more information? West Point has conducted these actions with dignity and respect. In the case of those items that were class gifts (specifically, Honor Plaza and Reconciliation Plaza), we worked closely with those classes and honor their contributions to their alma mater, while maintaining clear and open communication with them, and all our alumni, throughout this process.Please continue to check back to this page for updates regarding the academy's efforts and progress.