Hegseth Orders Navy to Rename USNS Harvey Milk in Bold Move to Restore Warrior Ethos

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has taken a decisive step by ordering the U.S. Navy to rename the oil tanker ship USNS Harvey Milk, a move that has sparked widespread attention and debate.

The order to strip the ship of its current name, which honors the late gay rights activist Harvey Milk, comes at the beginning of Pride Month, making the decision even more pointed and symbolically significant.

This action reflects Secretary Hegseth’s broader commitment to reshape the military culture in line with what he describes as the “warrior ethos” and the priorities set by the current administration, including President Trump.

According to an exclusive report from Military.com, the renaming plan was revealed through a memorandum issued by the Office of the Secretary of the Navy.

This document outlines the Navy’s intention to remove the Harvey Milk name from the vessel. Furthermore, a defense official confirmed that Secretary Hegseth instructed Navy Secretary John Phelan to carry out the renaming process.

The announcement was strategically timed for June 13, aligning with the broader context of Pride Month, thereby emphasizing the administration’s intent to send a clear message regarding the military’s direction under this leadership.

The decision has quickly stirred controversy, with prominent political figures voicing their opposition. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) condemned the move as a “shameful, vindictive erasure of those who fought to break down barriers for all to chase the American Dream.”

Pelosi argued that the action undermines the values of inclusivity and respect for those who have contributed to social progress.

She stated that while the U.S. military remains the most powerful in the world, this renaming does not bolster national security or the warrior spirit but instead represents a departure from honoring fundamental American ideals.

Despite these criticisms, official responses from both the Pentagon and the Navy were initially withheld, with no immediate comments made to The Hill.

However, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell later issued a statement affirming that changes to names of Department of Defense installations and assets are underway, reflecting the priorities of the Commander-in-Chief and the administration’s vision of history and military culture.

Parnell’s statement suggested that any renaming decisions will be publicly announced only after thorough internal reviews have been completed.

The USNS Harvey Milk itself holds significant historical and symbolic importance. The ship was officially named in August 2016 at a ceremony in San Francisco, honoring Harvey Milk, a pioneering American politician who became the first openly gay man elected to public office in California in 1977.

Serving on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, Milk was tragically assassinated in 1978 while in office. His legacy was further cemented when he was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009.

Harvey Milk’s military service is also a crucial part of his story. As a Navy lieutenant during the Korean War, Milk served aboard a submarine rescue ship.

However, he was forced to resign from the Navy after four years and accepted an other-than-honorable discharge to avoid facing a court-martial due to his sexual orientation, which was then considered grounds for discharge in the military.

Milk’s experience highlighted the discrimination faced by LGBTQ individuals in the armed forces during that era. The ship named in his honor is a John Lewis-class oiler, a series of vessels designated to commemorate prominent civil rights leaders and activists.

The USNS Harvey Milk was christened and launched in November 2021, symbolizing a commitment to recognize the contributions of individuals who fought for equality and justice.

At the naming ceremony, then-Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro spoke passionately about the importance of acknowledging the struggles and perseverance of LGBTQ service members, underscoring the Navy’s dedication to inclusion and respect.

Del Toro remarked that the naming was not only an act of correcting past injustices but also an inspiration to the current LGBTQ community serving in the Navy, both in uniform and in civilian roles.

He acknowledged the painful history of sailors like Lieutenant Milk who were forced into hiding or discharged due to their identity, emphasizing that while this injustice is part of Navy history, so too is the courage of those who continue to serve despite adversity.

Since taking office as Pentagon chief, Pete Hegseth has embarked on a wide-ranging initiative to dismantle military programs and materials that address diversity, anti-racism, and gender-related issues.

His stated objective is to restore the armed forces to what he defines as a “warrior ethos,” focusing on combat readiness, discipline, and traditional military values.

This campaign has involved the removal of content related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) from Defense Department websites and social media platforms.

Notably, the purge included the temporary removal of pages dedicated to celebrated figures such as baseball legend Jackie Robinson, former Defense Secretary Colin Powell, the Navajo Code Talkers, and Japanese American veterans.

These actions underscore the administration’s broader effort to shift the cultural focus of the military away from social and identity politics and toward unified mission readiness.

The renaming of the USNS Harvey Milk is now a prominent part of this initiative. The Navy memo states that the decision to strip the ship of its current name aligns with President Trump’s, Secretary Hegseth’s, and Secretary Phelan’s priorities to reestablish the warrior culture within the military.

The memo does not reveal the new name for the vessel but confirms that the announcement will be made aboard the USS Constitution, the oldest commissioned warship in the U.S. Navy, highlighting the symbolic weight of the renaming.

It is relatively rare for the Navy to rename ships, making this move particularly noteworthy. The last such instance occurred in 2023 when the Navy, following recommendations from a Congressionally mandated commission reviewing Confederate-linked names, renamed the cruiser USS Chancellorsville to USS Robert Smalls and the research ship USNS Maury to USNS Marie Tharp.

These changes were part of a broader effort to reevaluate historical symbols within the military.

Secretary Hegseth’s directive to rename USNS Harvey Milk represents a continuation and intensification of the current administration’s efforts to redefine military culture.

Supporters argue that this move restores focus on the military’s core mission: to defend the nation with discipline, strength, and unity.

They contend that emphasizing a warrior ethos is essential to maintaining readiness in the face of increasing global threats and that removing politically charged or divisive symbols is necessary for fostering cohesion among service members.

Critics, however, see the renaming as a setback for inclusion and a disregard for the progress made in recognizing the diverse contributions of all Americans to the military’s history.

They argue that honoring figures like Harvey Milk is crucial for acknowledging past injustices and promoting a culture of respect and equality within the armed forces.

The debate over the renaming encapsulates larger tensions within American society and the military about identity, history, and values.

At its core, the issue raises questions about how the armed forces should balance honoring tradition and diversity while preparing to face modern challenges. Secretary Hegseth’s approach clearly prioritizes a return to traditional military values, emphasizing strength and combat readiness above all.

As the Navy prepares to announce the new name for the oil tanker aboard the historic USS Constitution, all eyes will be on the symbolic message this change sends.

The move underscores Secretary Hegseth’s determination to align military assets with the administration’s vision of patriotism and warrior culture. It signals a broader effort to streamline and unify the military under a set of values focused on discipline, respect for service, and mission focus.

In conclusion, Secretary Pete Hegseth’s order to rename the USNS Harvey Milk marks a bold step in reshaping the U.S. military’s cultural landscape.

The decision reflects a deliberate choice to move away from politically charged symbolism and towards a renewed emphasis on the warrior ethos that defines the armed forces’ primary purpose.

While the move has drawn criticism and sparked passionate debate, it also highlights the current administration’s commitment to reinforcing military readiness and unity.

As the renaming is finalized and announced, it will stand as a significant moment in the ongoing evolution of the U.S. military’s identity and values under Secretary Hegseth’s leadership.