Washington — The U.S. Navy is preparing to rename the USNS Harvey Milk, a fleet replenishment oiler named after the iconic gay rights leader and Navy veteran, amid broader discussions about renaming several naval vessels bearing the names of civil rights leaders and prominent American figures, CBS News has learned.
Renaming Plans and Timing
Documents obtained by CBS News, used to brief the Secretary of the Navy and his chief of staff, outline proposed timelines for publicly announcing the name change of the USNS Harvey Milk. Although the Navy has yet to disclose the ship’s new name, the renaming proposal notably comes during Pride Month, a time dedicated to honoring the LGBTQ+ community and coinciding with the anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall uprising. This year’s WorldPride celebrations are taking place in Washington, D.C.
The USNS Harvey Milk, christened in 2021, belongs to the John Lewis-class of replenishment oilers—ships designed to support carrier strike groups at sea. This class honors civil rights icon and late Congressman John Lewis.
Other Ships on the Renaming List
In addition to the USNS Harvey Milk, Navy documents reveal a "recommended list" of other vessels named after influential civil rights figures that are being considered for renaming. These include:
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USNS Thurgood Marshall
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USNS Ruth Bader Ginsburg
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USNS Harriet Tubman
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USNS Dolores Huerta
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USNS Lucy Stone
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USNS Cesar Chavez
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USNS Medgar Evers
Notably, a December 2024 Naval Sea Systems Command article marking the keel laying of the future USNS Thurgood Marshall has since been removed from official websites.
Political Reactions
The decision to rename these ships has drawn sharp criticism from prominent political figures. Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi condemned the move as a "shameful, vindictive erasure" of those who fought to break down barriers, adding that it "does not strengthen our national security or the ‘warrior’ ethos."
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries called the action "an utter abomination," criticizing it as part of an extreme effort by MAGA Republicans to erase American history. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer publicly urged Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to reverse the decision immediately.
Pentagon Directives and Context
Since his confirmation in January, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has directed the Pentagon and U.S. military branches to halt events related to heritage or awareness months, including Pride Month, Black History Month, and Women’s History Month. He cited concerns that such programs could undermine military unity. This directive, known as "Identity Months Dead at DoD," prohibits official manpower and resources from supporting these observances.
The renaming documents, while not classified with standard Defense Department markings, carried a "CAUTION" note indicating the information is publicly sensitive. The memo stated that renaming efforts aim to realign the military with Trump administration priorities focused on "reestablishing the warrior culture."
Upcoming Steps and Statements
The Navy Secretary, John Phelan, is scheduled to select a new name for the USNS Harvey Milk imminently, with notification to other senior Navy officials expected later after legal review. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell emphasized that Secretary Hegseth is committed to ensuring that military installations and assets reflect the Commander-in-Chief’s priorities, national history, and the warrior ethos. Any official renaming announcements will follow once internal reviews are complete.
Honoring Harvey Milk’s Legacy
Harvey Milk emerged in the 1970s as one of the first openly gay elected officials in the U.S., winning a seat on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1977. His political career made him a national symbol of LGBTQ+ empowerment until his assassination in 1978 alongside Mayor George Moscone.
Before his activism, Milk served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War era, working aboard two submarine rescue ships. However, his sexual orientation led to his discharge under "Other Than Honorable" conditions after he was accused of engaging in a "homosexual act" in 1953. The Navy later approached Milk’s nephew in 2021 about upgrading his discharge, but the family declined, wanting to preserve the historical reality of discrimination.
Broader Renaming Efforts
This proposed renaming follows earlier moves by Secretary Hegseth to reverse efforts by a congressional naming commission aimed at removing Confederate names from military bases. In February, he ordered Fort Liberty in North Carolina to revert to its previous name, Fort Bragg, and Fort Moore to revert to Fort Benning, both named after military figures not associated with the Confederacy.
The Navy has also renamed other ships to remove Confederate associations, such as changing the USNS Maury to USNS Marie Tharp. However, renaming ships that are already in service remains an exceptionally rare step.
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