Hegseth Rewrite: A Change in Tide for Navy Ship Names
Navy vessel USNS Harvey Milk rechristened following World War II sailor in recent Pentagon diversity overhaul
In a bold move, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has announced the renaming of the USNS Harvey Milk, a vessel that once held the name of a slain gay rights activist. Enter Oscar V. Peterson, a World War II hero set to take the helm, as Hegseth aims to "take the politics out of ship naming."
The decision, met with controversy and applause, was unveiled on social media, with Hegseth emphasizing the need for sailors to feel proud of their ships' namesakes. The slain gay rights icon, Harvey Milk, had been a navy man before his time in public office, serving during the Korean War.
The USNS Harvey Milk was christened back in 2016, under the tenure of Navy Secretary Ray Mabus, who vowed to recognize civil and human rights icons with the naming of John Lewis-class oilers. Milk, a groundbreaking figure in the world of civil rights, was honored for his unwavering stance on equality before his tragic assassination.
The new namesake, Peterson, is no less extraordinary. A Chief Watertender on the Cimarron-class fleet oiler USS Neosho, Peterson demonstrated unparalleled courage during the Battle of the Coral Sea in 1942. Despite sustaining injuries and burns, he led a repair party and heroically shut the bulkhead stop valves, preserving the ship and ensuring his crew's survival — a sacrifice that ultimately cost him his life.
The renaming reflects a shift in ship naming strategy, moving away from honoring social and political activists and instead prioritizing feats of military valor. The decision aligns with the aims of President Donald Trump and Hegseth to "reestablish the warrior culture" within the Navy, casting a critical eye on previous administration's inclusion of political symbolism in these decisions.
In essence, Hegseth's move serves as a testament to new priorities in Navy ship naming — a decision that sparks conversations about political activism, the warrior culture, and the role of military heroes in shaping our nation's history.
The decision by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to rename the USNS Harvey Milk, a ship named after a slain gay rights activist, follows his aim to "take the politics out of ship naming." This shift in strategy, away from honoring social and political activists, is aligned with the aims of President Donald Trump and Hegseth to "reestablish the warrior culture" within the Navy, sparking conversations about political activism and the role of military heroes in shaping our nation's history.
