The U.S. Navy is weighing a proposal to rename an aircraft carrier originally slated to honor Black WWII hero Doris Miller [1].
The potential change represents a significant shift in how the military honors historical figures, pitting the legacy of a decorated war hero against the political influence of a former president.
Discussions regarding the naming of the vessel have been ongoing for most of the summer [3]. The aircraft carrier, identified as the future CVN-81 [2], is currently under construction at the Newport News Shipbuilding yard in Virginia [2].
Reports indicate that former President Donald Trump (R-NY) and Pete Hegseth, a former Navy SEAL and Fox News host, have been lobbying the Pentagon to replace Miller's name with that of Trump [1, 2]. The push stems from a desire to honor the former president instead of the WWII hero [1, 2].
"The Navy is reviewing all naming options, including the possibility of honoring President Trump," a senior Navy official said [1].
While some reports suggest a concerted effort to strip Miller's name from the ship, the Navy has not yet reached a final decision [1]. The conflict centers on whether the vessel should maintain its original dedication to Miller, who became a symbol of courage during World War II, or serve as a tribute to the 45th president.
"Trump and his ally Pete Hegseth have been lobbying the Pentagon to replace Doris Miller's name with Trump's," the New Republic said [2].
Navy officials have not provided a timeline for when a final determination will be made. The CVN-81 remains one of the most high-profile projects at the Virginia shipyard, and any change in designation would likely be announced formally by the Department of Defense.
“"The Navy is reviewing all naming options, including the possibility of honoring President Trump,"”
The debate over the CVN-81 naming reflects a broader tension within the U.S. military regarding the intersection of political loyalty and traditional honors. Renaming a ship already designated for a minority war hero to honor a political figure would mark a departure from standard Navy naming conventions, which typically prioritize military service and historical achievement.
