In a significant move announced in Washington on Friday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth declared that the USNS Harvey Milk will be renamed in honor of Navy Chief Petty Officer Oscar V. Peterson. This decision replaces the current name, originally dedicated to honor Harvey Milk, a prominent gay rights activist who served during the Korean War. The announcement was made via a video posted on social media, where Hegseth emphasized his intention to remove political considerations from the process of naming military assets.
The vessel’s new namesake, Oscar V. Peterson, was a World War II hero who posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his valor during the 1942 Battle of the Coral Sea. Hegseth noted Peterson’s exemplary courage and dedication to his crewmates as aligning with the highest traditions of the Navy.
This renaming is part of a broader initiative by Hegseth under the Republican administration, aimed at undoing the naming decisions of the previous Democratic administration led by President Joe Biden. The Biden administration had designated names to ships and bases that celebrated diversity, including honoring women, minorities, and LGBTQ community members. Hegseth’s actions align with those of former President Donald Trump, focusing on removing diversity, equity, and inclusion programs across military and governmental institutions.
The announcement coincides with Pride Month and emerges during a time when the Pentagon has controversially moved to discharge transgender troops from the military. Hegseth clarified, “The renaming of the ship isn’t a political statement. This focus is on military values, not activism.” Earlier this month, Hegseth tasked Navy Secretary John Phelan with forming a team to oversee the renaming of the vessel.
Peterson was celebrated for his bravery while serving aboard the USS Neosho, an oiler at the time of significant conflict during the Battle of the Coral Sea. Despite severe injuries, he managed to take critical actions that preserved the ship’s operational capacity, though he eventually succumbed to his wounds. In recognition, the Navy named an escort ship after him in 1943, which remained in service for over twenty years.
The USNS Harvey Milk received its name in 2016, as part of a class of oilers dedicated to leaders in civil and human rights, under the direction of then-Navy Secretary Ray Mabus. Harvey Milk, an iconic figure in the fight for LGBTQ rights, was previously a Navy sailor who was discharged for being gay. He went on to be an elected official in San Francisco and was assassinated in 1978.
This renaming decision has sparked discussion on the balance between honoring historic military valor and recognizing modern social progress, underscoring an ongoing dialogue about identity and values within the military infrastructure.