The Fort Polk community marked the renaming of the installation from Fort Johnson to Fort Polk at a redesignation ceremony held at the fort’s headquarters building, Woodfill Hall, Friday July 11.
The fort, originally named in honor of Confederate general and Louisiana Episcopal bishop, Leonidas Polk, was renamed in 2023 in honor of Sergeant William Henry Johnson, who earned the Medal of Honor and Croix De Guerre with Golden Palm for his heroism in fighting off a German trench raid during the First World War.
Friday’s ceremony renamed the fort in honor of the late General James H. Polk who served a 35 year career in the US Army, spanning WWII, the Korean War and Cold War. During WWII, he commanded the 3rd Cavalry Group under General George Patton and was awarded the Silver Star and French Croix de Guerre.
The ceremony included an unveiling of “JRTC and Fort Polk” signage over the headquarters entrance and of a portrait of General Polk that will be hung inside the entrance. There was a 21-gun salute after which James H. Polk III, the general’s son, spoke. The Polk family were then presented ceremonial artillery casings from the 21-gub salute. Brigadier General Jason Curl, Commander of Fort Polk, gave remarks. The Louisiana Army National Guard’s 156th Army Band, “Louisiana’s Own” under Warrant Officer 4 Wade Farniss played the Army Song concluding the ceremony.
