USNS Harvey Milk to Be Renamed by Navy
The U.S. Navy will change the name of the USNS Harvey Milk after an order from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The ship was named after Milk, a Navy veteran and one of the first openly gay elected officials in the U.S.
Launched in 2021, the ship honored Milk’s military service and activism. Milk served during the Korean War, but had to leave the Navy in 1955 after being targeted for his sexual orientation.
The timing of the announcement—during Pride Month—has led to strong criticism from public officials and civil rights groups.
- Ship launched in 2021
- Named for Harvey Milk’s legacy
- Milk left Navy under pressure in 1955
- Hegseth promotes “warrior culture” in military
- New name pending
“This is a shameful, vindictive erasure of the contributions of LGBTQ+ Americans,” said Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi.
California Governor Gavin Newsom added, “It reveals Trump’s contempt for the very values our veterans fight to protect.”
The Navy may also rename other ships that honor civil rights figures, including those named for Thurgood Marshall and Cesar Chavez. Hegseth described the initiative as a step toward building a stronger “warrior culture” in the armed forces.
More…
- https://www.cbsnews.com/news/navy-new-name-usns-harvey-milk-ships-named-for-civil-rights-leaders/
- https://www.sfchronicle.com/politics/article/trump-reportedly-strip-harvey-milk-name-naval-20359355.php
- https://www.military.com/daily-news/2025/06/03/hegseth-orders-navy-strip-name-of-gay-rights-icon-harvey-milk-ship.html
- https://www.overherenewyork.com/pride-month-events-in-new-york-city/