Who was Private First Class Roland Leon Bragg?

Fort Bragg is back—but this time, its name honors a different legacy. Originally named after a Confederate General, the installation was renamed Fort Liberty in 2023. Now, in a historic shift, it once again carries the name Fort Bragg—this time in tribute to Private First Class Roland Bragg, a soldier who embodied courage, sacrifice, and service. But who was PFC Bragg, and why does his story deserve to be remembered? Let’s take a closer look at the man behind the name and the legacy he leaves behind.

Private First Class (PFC) Roland L. Bragg, from Sabattus, Maine, enlisted in the Army on 7 July 1943, volunteering for airborne duty. He was assigned to the 513th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 13th Airborne Division at Fort Benning, Georgia. In January 1944, the unit moved to North Carolina, initially at Fort Bragg and then Camp Mackall. By March, they moved to the Tennessee Maneuver Area, integrating into the 17th Airborne Division, where they engaged in extensive maneuvers that simulated combat, readying PFC Bragg, and his fellow paratroopers for action in Europe. On 20 August, the regiment moved out with the division for Camp Chisledon, England, to continue its training. The 513th remained in England until they headed to Rheims, France in late December.

During the Battle of the Bulge, the 513th Parachute Infantry Regiment launched an assault on Flamierge, Belgium, battling fierce resistance and brutal winter conditions. In February 1945, PFC Roland Bragg was wounded and briefly captured alongside Lieutenant McLain. However, refusing to be taken prisoner, Bragg made a daring escape. He commandeered a German ambulance, using it to save fellow paratroopers by driving 20 miles through enemy-held territory to an Allied hospital in Belgium, all while under constant enemy fire. Later that evening, Bragg returned to Flamierge with critical ammunition, despite his own injuries, and was treated for wounds to his hand. He rejoined his unit in April 1945, missing Operation VARSITY. For his extraordinary bravery and sacrifice, Bragg was awarded the Silver Star Medal and the Purple Heart.

In honor of PFC Roland Bragg’s valor in the Battle of the Bulge, on 10 February 2025, the Secretary of Defense redesignated Fort Liberty as Fort Bragg. Bragg’s commitment as a paratrooper during World War II, serves as a powerful inspiration and a standard for all personnel at the installation.

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