Defense Secretary Hegseth directs Navy to remove Harvey Milk's name from ship
In a move stirring controversy during Pride Month, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth orders the Navy to strip Harvey Milk’s name from a military ship, reigniting the national debate over whose legacies deserve to be honored.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth ordered the renaming of the oil tanker USNS Harvey Milk, according to a report from a defense official. So far, there has been no response from the Secretary of Defense's office.
This ship, launched in 2021, was named after the renowned LGBT+ rights activist who was a Navy veteran and forced to resign from the force due to his sexual orientation. While it is unclear what the ship's new name will be, it is a coincidence that the name change is happening right around Pride Month.
The latest name change for a US ship and Sean Parnell's remarks
It is very rare for a ship to be renamed. The last time such an event occurred was in 2023. This happened due to a recommendation from a congressional commission specifically created to review the names of the Armed Forces. This resulted in the renaming of the cruiser USS Chancellorsville and the research vessel USNS Maury. However, this would be the first time a ship has been renamed by order of a Secretary of Defense.
According to Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell, the name changes will be announced soon once all internal reviews are completed. Parnell also mentions that Hegseth's goal is to ensure that all assets owned by the Department of Defense reflect the possibilities and priorities of national history and military ethics. Indeed, former California House Speaker Nancy Pelosi declared the move a "shameful and vindictive" action that fails to honor the people who worked to build a more united nation.
Who was Harvey Milk and his contribution to the gay community?
Harvey Milk was an openly gay American politician who was elected to public office in the United States, the first in California. He also served in the Navy as a diving officer during the Korean War. He also founded the Castro Village Association, one of the first LGBTQ business organizations. Milk promoted laws to protect the LGBTQ community, including an ordinance against discrimination in housing and employment, and fought against Proposition 6, which sought to fire gay or lesbian teachers.
The USNS Harvey Milk is seen leaving the General Dynamics NASSCO shipyard in San Diego on November 6, 2021, after its launch ceremony. Photo: AFP
The Harvey Milk is one of the "Harvey Milk" tankers named after civil rights leaders, including the USNS Earl Warren, the USNS Robert F. Kennedy, the USNS Lucy Stone, and the USNS Sojourner Truth.
