In a move igniting national outrage, Pentagon Chief of Personnel Pete Hegseth has ordered the U.S. Navy to rename the USNS Harvey Milk, stripping the vessel of its tribute to the trailblazing gay rights icon. The directive—part of a broader “warrior culture” initiative—reverses a landmark 2016 decision to honor Milk’s legacy and marks the second cancellation of a civil rights namesake after the USS Harriet Tubman was scrapped earlier this year.
The Hegseth Directive: Erasing Harvey Milk from Naval History
- Directive Issued: June 4, 2025 memo to Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro
- Rationale: “Restoring traditional warrior ethos” by removing “non-combat figures”
- Timeline: Renaming due within 90 days; ship to be rechristened after WWII Admiral Raymond Spruance
- Precedent: Follows March 2025 cancellation of the USS Harriet Tubman
Hegseth’s Statement:
“Ships should bear names of warriors, not activists. This is about combat readiness, not politics.”
Who Was Harvey Milk? The Legacy Under Attack
Harvey Milk (1930–1978) remains a pivotal civil rights figure:
- First Openly Gay Elected Official: San Francisco Supervisor (1977–1978)
- Assassinated: Killed alongside Mayor George Mosca by disgruntled ex-official Dan White
- Iconic Achievements:
- Banned anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination in housing/jobs
- Defeated California’s Proposition 6 (anti-gay teacher ban)
- Inspired Naval naming in 2016 as symbol of inclusion
The USNS Harvey Milk: A Symbol Sunk
| Specs | Significance |
|---|---|
| Class | John Lewis-class oiler (T-AO 206) |
| Commissioned | 2021 in San Diego ceremony with LGBTQ+ veterans |
| Mission | Delivered 600K barrels of fuel to Pacific Fleet |
| Symbolism | First U.S. vessel named after an openly LGBTQ+ figure |
Veteran Quote:
“That ship told every gay sailor: ‘You belong.’ Now that’s gone.” — Petty Officer Lisa Torres, USN (ret.)
San Diego Backlash: Veterans Condemn the Erasure
Reactions from the ship’s home port:
- Protest Rally: 2,000+ at Naval Base San Diego (June 5)
- Naval Veterans for Equality: “This betrays LGBTQ+ sailors who served under DADT.”
- Counter-Argument: <10% of veterans support renaming (Military Times poll)
Historical Context:
- 100,000+ LGBTQ+ troops discharged under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (1994–2011)
- Milk’s niece: “This insults their sacrifices.”
The “Warrior Culture” Shift: Pentagon’s Controversial Rebrand
Hegseth’s policy targets:
- Renaming Vessels: Remove activists/rights icons (Tubman, Milk)
- Base Renaming: Replace Confederate-linked names with “warrior heroes”
- Training Revamp: “Lethality-focused” drills replacing diversity education
Critics Warn:
“This whitewashes military history to fit an ideological narrative.” — Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)
Harriet Tubman Parallel: A Pattern of Exclusion
| Ship | Original Namesake | Replacement Name |
|---|---|---|
| USNS Harvey Milk | Gay rights pioneer | Adm. Raymond Spruance (WWII) |
| USS Harriet Tubman | Abolitionist hero | Adm. Chester Nimitz (WWII) |
| Note: Tubman was a Union spy and armed liberator—directly tied to military service. |
Political Firestorm: Reactions from D.C. to California
- White House: “Deeply disappointed” (press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre)
- California Gov. Newsom: “Cowardly cultural vandalism. We’ll litigate.”
- LGBTQ+ Groups: Human Rights Campaign files FOIA request for Hegseth’s communications
- Conservative Backing: Heritage Foundation praises “restoration of martial values”
What’s Next? Legal Battles and Symbolic Resistance
- Lawsuits: California AG alleges violation of 2020 Naming Commission procedures
- Grassroots Actions:
- #KeepMilkAfloat social media campaign
- Veterans plan to paint “Harvey Milk” on decommissioned ships
- Congressional Response: House bill to block funding for renaming (unlikely to pass Senate)
Conclusion: History Is Not So Easily Sunk
The assault on Harvey Milk’s legacy reveals a deeper battle: whether military tradition can coexist with hard-won progress. As Milk himself warned: “Rights are won only by those who make their voices heard.” The ship may be renamed, but the uprising it inspires will endure—a testament to the very resilience Milk embodied.
FAQs: Harvey Milk Ship Renaming Controversy
- Who ordered the USNS Harvey Milk renamed?
Pentagon Chief of Personnel Pete Hegseth. - Why rename the ship?
Hegseth cites “warrior culture” focus; rejects activist namesakes. - When will the renaming happen?
Within 90 days (by September 2025). - What will the ship be called?
USNS Raymond Spruance (WWII admiral). - Was Harriet Tubman’s ship also renamed?
Yes—replaced by USS Chester Nimitz in March 2025. - How are veterans reacting?
Major protests in San Diego; 89% oppose renaming (Human Rights Campaign poll). - Did Harvey Milk serve in the military?
Yes—Navy diver during Korean War (1951–1955). - Can this decision be reversed?
Only by presidential order or court injunction (lawsuits pending). - What’s the political split?
Democrats condemn; conservatives support Hegseth’s “martial values” push. - How can the public respond?
Contact Congress (H.R. 7021 blocks funding) or join #KeepMilkAfloat campaigns. - Are other LGBTQ+ tributes at risk?
Likely—Pentagon reviewing all “non-combat” namesakes. - Where is the ship now?
Deployed near Guam; will return to San Diego for renaming.
Sources: Pentagon Memo (June 2025), San Diego Union-Tribune, HRC Statement, Military Times Poll, CA Attorney General Filing.
Disclaimer: This is a developing story; renaming timelines may shift.
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