They made it official in Vernon Parish Friday morning – Fort Johnson is now Fort Polk once again.
They rededicated Louisiana’s largest military base in a 30-minute ceremony.
However, the U.S. Army base’s namesake is not reverting back to its prior namesake, Confederate General Leonidas Polk.
Instead, it is now named for General James H. Polk, who led U.S. troops in World War II and the Korean War.
“His dedication and service to our country and his patriotism has always been an inspiration to our family and to all who knew him,” said Gen. Polk’s son, James H. Polk III, during the dedication ceremony.
As for the namesake of the former Fort Johnson, Polk paid tribute to Sergeant William Henry Johnson.
“We know that our father would want that an expect that Sergeant Johnson continued to be remembered at Fort Polk and by the U.S. Army as the great hero that he was,” said Polk.
In fact, the U.S. Army announced during the ceremony that on July 24th, its installation post exchange will be dedicated as the Sergeant William Henry Johnson Exchange.
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