Fort Lee Renamed in Honor of Medal of Honor Recipient Pvt. Fitz Lee

Strategic Insights -

Ft. Lee, VA - The U.S. Army-Asia Pacific announced on July 11, 2025, that Ft. Lee, Va., has been renamed in honor of Medal of Honor recipient Pvt. Fitz Lee, who served with the 10th Cavalry, known as the "Buffalo Soldiers," during the Spanish-American War. The ceremony, which took place at the U.S. Army Ordnance Training Support Facility, marked the unveiling of new signage displaying "Fort Lee," which will be installed at all garrison access control points. Additionally, the Sustainment Gate was renamed Lee Gate, and Sustainment Avenue was changed to Lee Avenue.

Key Takeaways:

  • Fort Lee, Va., has been renamed in honor of Medal of Honor recipient Pvt. Fitz Lee, who served with the 10th Cavalry, known as the "Buffalo Soldiers," during the Spanish-American War.
  • Lee enlisted in the Army as a private in 1889 and served with distinction in Cuba during the Spanish-American War, earning the Medal of Honor for his exceptional courage during a daring rescue mission in June 1898.
  • Lee's legacy is one of bravery, humility, and unwavering commitment - qualities that the U.S. Army strives to embody, and Fort Lee will continue to be a place where Soldiers are forged, leaders are developed, and the strength of the Army is sustained.
  • The renaming of Fort Lee honors not only Lee's service but also the legacy of the Buffalo Soldiers, who paved the way for African American Soldiers in the U.S. Army.
  • Colonel Rich Bendelewski, Fort Lee garrison commander, stated that "We honor our installation with the legacy of Pvt. Fitz Lee who was a native of Dinwiddie County, a Buffalo Soldier, and a Medal of Honor recipient."
  • The renaming ceremony was attended by Maj. Gen. Michelle Donahue, commanding general of the Combined Arms Support Command and Fort Lee, who praised Lee's sacrifice and commitment to duty.

Statistics:

  • 1889: Year Pvt. Fitz Lee enlisted in the Army as a private.
  • 1898: Year Lee earned the Medal of Honor for his exceptional courage during a daring rescue mission in Cuba.
  • 1899: Year Lee received his Medal of Honor and was medically discharged from the Army.
  • 1899: Year Pvt. Fitz Lee died at the home of a friend in Leavenworth, Kansas, and was buried with full military honors at Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery.

Sources:

  • U.S. Army-Asia Pacific, July 11, 2025
  • National Park Service's Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument website
  • Dinwiddie County administrator Kevin Massengill
  • U.S. Army Ordnance Training Support Facility