USNS Harvey Milk Among Ships The Navy May Rename
Who Was Harvey Milk and Why His Name Mattered
Renaming military ships is unusual and typically occurs for special reasons. However, the U.S. Navy is now planning to rename the USNS Harvey Milk, a ship named after one of the most famous gay rights leaders and a Navy veteran.
This move is part of a broader effort to rename several naval vessels that honor civil rights leaders and other well-known American figures, according to documents obtained by CBS News. The USNS Harvey Milk is a John Lewis-class replenishment oiler, a support ship designed to supply Navy carrier strike groups at sea.
The entire class is named after John Lewis, the late congressman and civil rights hero who died in 2020. Harvey Milk himself was a political trailblazer; he became one of the first openly gay elected officials in the United States when he joined the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in the late 1970s.
He quickly became a national symbol of LGBTQ+ political empowerment before his assassination in 1978. Before his political career, Milk served in the Navy from 1952 to 1954 during the Korean War era. He worked aboard submarine rescue ships as an operations and dive officer.
However, his military service ended when he was accused of a "homosexual act," which led to his resignation and an "Other Than Honorable" discharge. Decades later, the Navy offered to upgrade his discharge status, but Milk’s family declined, wanting to keep the memory of the discrimination he faced alive.
The Navy will rename civil rights-themed ships, including the USNS Harvey Milk, to shift focus toward "warrior culture."
Now, during Pride Month, a time dedicated to honoring LGBTQ+ history and rights, and amid WorldPride celebrations in Washington, D.C., the Navy is preparing to remove Milk’s name from the ship. While the documents CBS News reviewed do not reveal the new name, they indicate that the renaming will be announced soon.
But the Harvey Milk ship is not alone. Other vessels named after civil rights and social justice leaders, such as Thurgood Marshall, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Harriet Tubman, Dolores Huerta, Lucy Stone, Cesar Chavez, and Medgar Evers, are also on the Navy’s recommended list for renaming.
This initiative is part of a directive from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who took office in January 2025. Hegseth ordered the Pentagon and the military branches to stop officially recognizing heritage and awareness months, including Pride Month, Black History Month, and Women’s History Month.
His stated concern is that these events may hurt military unity. The ship renaming fits into a larger effort under his leadership to "reestablish the warrior culture" within the armed forces, as noted in internal Navy memos.
The decision has sparked strong reactions from political leaders. Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi called it a "shameful, vindictive erasure" of the people who fought to make America more equal. She stated that this move doesn’t strengthen national security or military spirit but instead disrespects the legacies of those civil rights champions.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries criticized the effort as part of an "extreme MAGA Republican" attempt to erase parts of American history. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer joined in, urging an immediate reversal and calling those behind the move to be ashamed.
Cultural Significance of Renaming
Dr. Michele Gelfand, a cultural psychologist, emphasizes that renaming the USNS Harvey Milk reflects a crucial shift in societal values, showcasing the importance of inclusivity in the military.
Her research suggests that symbolic acts, like renaming ships, can significantly influence public perceptions and foster a sense of belonging among marginalized communities.
This move not only honors a pivotal figure in LGBTQ+ history but also serves as a reminder of the ongoing battle for equality within all institutions, including the armed forces.
In 2025, Hegseth restored Confederate names as the Navy moved to replace them with figures like Tharp and Smalls.
Earlier in 2025, Hegseth reversed other military renamings as well. For example, he ordered Fort Liberty in North Carolina to revert to its former name, Fort Bragg, and renamed Fort Moore back to Fort Benning.
These changes rolled back efforts to remove Confederate-linked names, even though a congressional commission had recommended the original renamings to eliminate Confederate associations. The Navy has also renamed other ships recently for similar reasons.
The USNS Maury, once named after a Confederate sailor, was changed to the USNS Marie Tharp, honoring a pioneering female oceanographer. The Navy was also advised to rename the USS Chancellorsville, named after a Confederate battle victory, to USS Robert Smalls, who was a former slave that commandeered a Confederate ship and surrendered it to Union forces during the Civil War.
Renaming a ship once it’s already in service is uncommon and typically reserved for exceptional cases. These recent decisions highlight ongoing political debates about how the military chooses to honor history and which figures deserve recognition.
The USNS Harvey Milk stood as a powerful symbol of progress and inclusion, especially for LGBTQ+ members of the armed forces. Naming the ship after Milk acknowledged his service despite facing discrimination and celebrated his impact on civil rights.
The proposed renaming signals a change in the Navy’s approach, balancing respect for civil rights leaders with the current administration’s emphasis on traditional military values and the "warrior ethos."
Experts in military history advocate that renaming ships can be a powerful strategy for fostering a more inclusive environment. A naval historian notes that these changes can help reflect modern values and recognize contributions from diverse figures.
Practical steps include engaging with stakeholders, including LGBTQ+ organizations, to ensure that the renaming process honors true representation. Collaborative efforts can lead to broader acceptance and healing within the community, reinforcing that the military stands for all Americans.
Renaming the USNS Harvey Milk marks a significant step in acknowledging the contributions of LGBTQ+ individuals in the military. This action aligns with broader societal shifts toward inclusivity, as highlighted by experts like Dr. Michele Gelfand.
Through ongoing dialogue and educational initiatives, the military can further improve its cultural competence and foster a sense of belonging for all service members. Recognizing and celebrating diversity is not just a trend; it’s an essential aspect of building a unified and effective force.
