Navy Renames USNS Harvey Milk During Pride Month

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that the USNS Harvey Milk, a Navy replenishment ship christened in 2021 and originally named for one of the first openly gay elected officials and civil rights leaders, will be renamed the USNS Oscar V. Peterson in honor of a World War II Medal of Honor recipient. The decision was announced during Pride Month and is part of a broader Trump administration initiative to remove references to diversity, equity, and inclusion from the military. Hegseth stated that the change aims to 'take politics out of ship naming' and 're-establish the warrior ethos.' Critics, including LGBTQ advocates and San Francisco officials, view the move as a politically motivated attack on LGBTQ representation and recognition in the armed forces. Supporters argue the renaming honors military heroism over activism. The ship was originally part of a class named for civil rights leaders.