Defense Secretary Hegseth Orders Renaming of Navy Ship Honoring Gay Rights Icon Harvey Milk
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the Navy to take the rare step of renaming a ship, one that bears the name of a gay rights icon, marking a controversial decision that has sparked significant debate during Pride Month 2025. The USNS Harvey Milk, a fleet replenishment oiler launched in 2021, is set to lose its name in what officials describe as part of efforts to “reestablish warrior culture” within the military. The timing of this announcement, occurring during June Pride Month celebrations, has drawn sharp criticism from civil rights advocates and political leaders.
Harvey Milk’s Legacy and Naval Service
Harvey Milk became one of the first openly gay elected officials in U.S. history during the 1970s and was tragically assassinated in 1978 while serving on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. His naval service included time as a diving officer on the submarine rescue ship USS Kittiwake during the Korean War, serving from 1951 to 1955. He left the service as a lieutenant junior grade in 1955 with a “less than honorable” discharge “after being officially questioned about his sexual orientation”.
Milk’s political career was marked by groundbreaking civil rights work, including passing legislation banning housing and employment discrimination based on sexual orientation. His death transformed Milk into an icon in San Francisco and a martyr in the LGBTQ community. He was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009.
The Ship’s Naming and Specifications
The oiler was first named after Milk in 2016 by then-Navy Secretary Ray Mabus. The USNS Harvey Milk is a John Lewis-class replenishment oiler, designed to support carrier strike groups at sea. On 11 July 2023, Harvey Milk entered non-commissioned U.S. Navy service under the control of the Military Sealift Command after the Navy accepted delivery from General Dynamics NASSCO.
The John Lewis-class vessels are specifically named after prominent civil rights leaders and activists, representing the Navy’s commitment to honoring those who fought for equality and justice in American society.
Recent Developments
The Renaming Order
Military.com reviewed a memorandum from the Office of the Secretary of the Navy — the official who holds the power to name Navy ships — that showed the sea service had come up with rollout plans for the renaming of the oiler ship USNS Harvey Milk. A defense official said the timing of the decision was intentional, coinciding with Pride Month celebrations nationwide.
However, the memo reviewed by Military.com noted that the renaming was being done so that there is “alignment with president and SECDEF objectives and SECNAV priorities of reestablishing the warrior culture”, referencing President Donald Trump, Defense Secretary Hegseth, and Navy Secretary John Phelan.
Broader Implications for Civil Rights Ship Names
CBS reported Tuesday that the Navy is also considering renaming other John Lewis-class oilers including the USNS Thurgood Marshall, USNS Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and USNS Harriet Tubman. This potential expansion of the renaming initiative could affect multiple vessels honoring Supreme Court justices and civil rights leaders.
Announcement Timeline
The renaming news was slated to become public June 13, according to the memo. Officials plan to announce the new name aboard the USS Constitution, the oldest commissioned Navy ship, though the replacement name has not yet been disclosed.
Analysis & Perspectives
Political and Social Reactions
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who represents much of San Francisco, strongly condemned the decision. In a statement Tuesday called the decision to rename the ship “a surrender of a fundamental American value: to honor the legacy of those who worked to build a better country”.
Pelosi called that possibility “a shameful, vindictive erasure of those who fought to break down barriers for all to chase the American Dream”, referring to the potential broader renaming of civil rights-themed vessels.
Naval Tradition and Precedent
While there are some rare examples of Navy ships being renamed following construction and christening, those instances are outliers and, broadly, Navy traditions consider renaming a ship to be taboo.
The most recent renaming occurred in 2023 when the Navy decided to rename the cruiser USS Chancellorsville and research ship USNS Maury — two names with ties to the Confederacy. However, those changes came from a Congressional commission studying Confederate-linked names, unlike the current order which comes directly from the Defense Secretary.
Military Culture Debate
The decision reflects broader tensions within military leadership regarding diversity, inclusion, and what constitutes appropriate military culture. Supporters of the renaming argue it aligns with traditional military values, while critics view it as an attempt to roll back progress on LGBTQ+ rights and civil rights recognition within the armed forces.
The controversy highlights ongoing debates about how the military should balance historical tradition with contemporary values of inclusion and equality.
The order to rename the USNS Harvey Milk represents a significant shift in military policy regarding the recognition of civil rights leaders and LGBTQ+ figures. The USNS Harvey Milk is currently completing maintenance and refit work at a shipyard in Alabama that is expected to wrap up by the end of June, meaning the renaming could occur as the vessel prepares to return to active service.
This decision may signal broader changes to come within the military’s approach to diversity and inclusion under the current administration. The controversy surrounding the renaming reflects deeper national debates about civil rights, military tradition, and the appropriate ways to honor historical figures who fought for equality and justice.
The ultimate impact of this decision will likely extend beyond naval nomenclature, potentially influencing military culture, recruitment efforts within diverse communities, and the ongoing national conversation about LGBTQ+ rights and recognition.
