Renaming the USNS Harvey Milk Sparks National Debate as Pentagon Pushes to Reinforce Traditional Military Values Amid Pride Month
In a controversial move reflecting a shift in the Department of Defense’s cultural priorities, the USNS Harvey Milk is reportedly set to be renamed as part of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s effort to reemphasize a traditional “warrior ethos” within the U.S. military.
This decision aligns with the Trump administration’s broader effort to reinforce a “warrior culture” within the military, distancing itself from previous initiatives that highlighted diversity and inclusion. yahoo.com.
The announcement, though not yet formally confirmed, is expected later this month. It has already sparked intense criticism from civil rights advocates, lawmakers, and military veterans, especially given its timing during LGBTQ+ Pride Month.
The USNS Harvey Milk, a John Lewis-class replenishment oiler, was christened in 2021, commemorating Milk’s legacy as the first openly gay elected official in California and his service during the Korean War. Milk was compelled to resign from the Navy in 1955 due to his sexual orientation, receiving an “other than honorable” discharge—a decision that has since been widely criticized. pbs.org
The USNS Harvey Milk was named in 2016 under the Obama administration to honor Harvey Milk, the trailblazing LGBTQ+ rights advocate and Navy veteran. The vessel embarked on its maiden voyage in 2024, arriving in San Francisco to widespread fanfare..
According to the Harvey Milk Foundation, Milk was “a visionary leader in civil and human rights” and became one of the first openly gay elected officials in U.S. history when he won a seat on San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors in 1977. Milk enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1951, but resigned in 1955 with the rank of lieutenant junior grade after being questioned about his sexual orientation.
The Pentagon has not officially denied the reports. However, in a statement to Fox News, chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell hinted that more such renamings could be on the horizon.
“Secretary Hegseth is committed to ensuring that the names attached to all DOD installations and assets are reflective of the Commander-in-Chief’s priorities, our nation’s history, and the warrior ethos,” said Parnell.
“Any potential renaming(s) will be announced after internal reviews are complete.”
The decision to rename the ship has drawn sharp criticism from Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., who denounced it as “a disgraceful and spiteful attempt to erase the legacy of those who fought to dismantle barriers and ensure equal opportunity in the pursuit of the American Dream.”
As the nation celebrates Pride Month, Rep. Nancy Pelosi expressed hope that the Navy would rethink what she called “this deeply troubling decision.” In a statement, she said the move “represents a betrayal of a core American principle: honoring the legacy of those who dedicated themselves to building a more just and inclusive country.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom called the move “an insult to every American who’s served this country with integrity, regardless of who they are.”
The USNS Harvey Milk is part of a new class of Navy oilers that also includes vessels named after other civil rights icons, such as Rep. John Lewis, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and abolitionist Sojourner Truth. According to internal sources, these names are also under review.
Critics say the proposed renaming signals a troubling rollback of progress. “This is not about honoring warriors. It’s about erasing heroes who didn’t fit a narrow mold,” a spokesperson from LGBTQ+ advocacy group GLAAD said on Tuesday.
Military historian Dr. Linnea Howard of UCLA echoed those sentiments: “Harvey Milk served his country both in uniform and in public office. Removing his name sends a damaging message about whose legacy is valued in our armed forces.”
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