Defense Secretary Renames USNS Harvey Milk After WWII Sailor Amid Pentagon Diversity Shift

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the renaming of the USNS Harvey Milk, a John Lewis-class fleet oiler, to honor Navy Chief Petty Officer Oscar V. Peterson, a Medal of Honor recipient from World War II, citing a desire to remove politics from ship naming. This decision reverses the previous Biden administration's naming of the ship after Harvey Milk, a slain gay rights activist and Korean War veteran, and aligns with President Donald Trump's and Hegseth's broader efforts to eliminate references to diversity, equity, and inclusion within the military. The renaming, timed during Pride Month amidst broader Pentagon policies targeting transgender troops, was described as a move to reestablish the warrior culture and reflect the nation's history and military ethos. The ship is currently undergoing maintenance in Mobile, Alabama, where updates to its name and symbols are expected to be completed within six months. Defense officials emphasize that the change reflects the Commander in Chief's priorities and a Pentagon review of all installations and assets, aiming to honor traditional military valor rather than political activism. Hegseth framed the renaming as honoring Peterson's self-sacrifice and dedication to his crewmates during the Battle of the Coral Sea.