Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has directed the Navy to take the unusual step of renaming a ship currently named after a prominent gay rights figure, according to documents and sources.
Military.com reviewed a memorandum from the Office of the Secretary of the Navy, which has the authority to name naval vessels, detailing plans to roll out the renaming of the oiler ship USNS Harvey Milk.
A defense official confirmed that the Navy is preparing to remove the ship’s current name, noting that Navy Secretary John Phelan was directed to take the action by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The official also acknowledged that the timing of the decision—during Pride Month—was deliberate.
The outlet noted that the memo said the renaming was being done so that there is “alignment with president and SECDEF objectives and SECNAV priorities of reestablishing the warrior culture,” apparently referencing President Donald Trump, Hegseth and Phelan.
Milk became one of the first openly gay elected officials in U.S. history during the 1970s, emerging as a key figure in the early gay civil rights movement. He was assassinated while serving on San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors.
