In a surprising decision, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has directed the U.S. Navy to change the name of the USNS Harvey Milk, a replenishment oiler originally named to honor the slain gay rights activist and former sailor. This rare renaming move marks a significant shift, as Harvey Milk was recognized for his contributions during the Korean War and his efforts as a prominent leader in the LGBTQ community.
The current Navy Secretary, John Phelan, has been tasked with assembling a team to identify a new name for the ship, with expectations that the decision will be finalized soon. While the next name has not yet been decided, details of this naming transition were disclosed in an internal memo. The memo indicates that the move aligns with the Trump administration’s goals of promoting a “warrior culture” and revising military representations to reflect their views.
This initiative is among the administration’s broader attempts to remove references to diversity and inclusion during Pride Month. The timing echo ongoing military policies aiming to exclude transgender individuals from service, marking a controversial turn in military and political narratives.
In response to the name change, Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell stated that Secretary Hegseth’s actions are intended to realign Department of Defense resources to better mirror the Commander-in-Chief’s priorities, national history, and a warrior ethos. Despite requests, Phelan’s office has remained silent on the renaming process, which was initially reported by Military.com.
The USNS Harvey Milk’s name was originally designated in 2016 by then-Navy Secretary Ray Mabus, who aimed to name the John Lewis-class of oilers after distinguished civil and human rights leaders. Harvey Milk, portrayed by Sean Penn in a film that received an Oscar in 2008, served in the Navy for several years before he was forced out due to his sexual orientation and subsequently became one of the first openly gay officials elected to political office.
Milk’s impactful career included service on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and authoring a significant bill outlawing discrimination based on sexual orientation in various sectors. His influence was cut short on November 27, 1978, when both he and San Francisco Mayor George Moscone were tragically assassinated.
The current move to rename the ship has garnered criticism from high-profile figures such as former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and California Governor Gavin Newsom. Pelosi condemned the decision as degrading to national values, while Newsom emphasized Milk’s legacy as a veteran and advocate, arguing that it contradicts the ideals veterans defend.
Despite the renaming order, the ship was christened in 2021, with former Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro recognizing the ceremony’s importance for the LGBTQ community. Reflecting continued support for inclusivity, it was stated that this event wasn’t just redressing past wrongs but also inspiring future leaders.
While the process of renaming ships is uncommon, the Biden administration previously reassigned names for two naval vessels in 2023 to remove Confederate links from military associations. Efforts included renaming the USS Chancellorsville to the USS Robert Smalls, honoring a former enslaved person, and changing the USNS Maury to the USNS Marie Tharp in recognition of the cartographer’s scientific achievements.
Interestingly, lore surrounding maritime traditions suggests that changing a ship’s name brings bad luck, positing a cultural reluctance to embrace such alterations.