Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has directed the Navy to rename the USNS Harvey Milk, an oil ship named after the slain gay rights leader, as part of a broader effort to align the military with a “warrior ethos.” The decision, confirmed by a defense official and detailed in a Navy memorandum, is slated to be announced June 13 during Pride Month.
The move has drawn condemnation from Democrats, including Rep. Nancy Pelosi, who called it “shameful” and a betrayal of American values. Milk, a former Navy officer, was forced out of the military in the 1950s for being gay. He was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell confirmed other assets may also be renamed to reflect the Trump administration’s priorities. Hegseth has also spearheaded efforts to scrub military websites of diversity, equity, and inclusion content.
The ship, part of the John Lewis-class of oilers named for civil rights figures, has been in service since 2021.
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