U.S. Defense Secretary Orders Renaming of Ships During Pride Month

ARLINGTON, Va. — This week, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth initiated the renaming of the USNS Harvey Milk, a ship named after the late Navy veteran and LGBTQ+ rights activist. The decision coincides with Pride Month and appears to be intentional, signaling a commitment to honor individuals representing diverse communities.

CBS News confirmed Hegseth’s directive, which also encompasses seven other naval vessels named after civic leaders and activists who are set to be renamed. The USNS Harvey Milk is a John Lewis-class oiler, with more than half of the ships in this class planned for renaming. Notably, the USNS John Lewis, USNS Earl Warren, USNS Robert F. Kennedy, and USNS Sojourner Truth are not among those scheduled for name changes.

Harvey Milk, known for his activism in the 1970s, worked tirelessly for civil reforms affecting various marginalized groups, including LGBTQ+ individuals, women, and racial minorities. His legacy includes pivotal achievements, such as successfully halting a 1978 California initiative aimed at dismissing gay teachers from public schools. Milk, who served in the U.S. Navy Reserve during the Korean War, ultimately faced a court-martial due to accusations of homosexuality and received an ‘other than honorable’ discharge.

Following his assassination in 1978, Milk’s impact reverberated throughout the country, inspiring many to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. Thousands gathered in memorials to honor his last plea for individuals to live authentically and “uncloseted.”

The new renaming efforts also pay homage to other notable figures like Lucy Stone, an outspoken suffragist and abolitionist, and Dolores Huerta, a labor rights activist who co-founded the United Farm Workers. They are joined by namesakes like Thurgood Marshall, the first Black Supreme Court justice, and Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a trailblazing advocate for women’s rights.

Despite the removal of some of their names from Department of Defense websites, the legacy of these influential individuals remains intact. Huerta, the only living namesake among those set for renaming, continues her advocacy at 95 years old.

As public conversations about representation and inclusivity in military honors continue, the renaming initiative reflects changing societal values regarding who is celebrated and remembered within the U.S. military.