West Point Commences Remediation Efforts

Three bronze plaques at the United States Military Academy’s Bartlett Hall Science Center include one with an image of a hooded figure and the words “Ku Klux Klan” written below it. The plaques have been flagged in a recent report by the federal Naming Commission.
Three bronze plaques at the United States Military Academy’s Bartlett Hall Science Center include one with an image of a hooded figure and the words “Ku Klux Klan” written below it. The plaques have been flagged in a recent report by the federal Naming Commission.

WEST POINT – The Secretary of Defense approved and directed remediation efforts at the U.S. Military Academy as outlined by The Naming Commission’s final report to Congress that identified 13 confederate assets and memorabilia be removed, renamed, or stored by December 2023. This endeavor is set to begin this month.

The Naming Commission is a congressionally mandated authority charged with providing recommendations to the House Armed Services Committee and Senate Armed Services Committee for the removal or renaming of bases, ships and other Department of Defense assets that commemorate the confederacy.

The William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (Public Law No: 116-283) 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 that commemorate the Confederate States of America or any person who served voluntarily with the Confederate States of America.

Academy leaders and key stakeholders developed a comprehensive plan to ensure that historical artifacts will be professionally and respectfully handled during the execution phase. Memorabilia removed during this process will be relocated to appropriate sites including museums or other suitable venues.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email