Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has officially announced that a U.S. Navy fleet oiler previously named after Harvey Milk will be renamed in honor of World War II Medal of Honor recipient Oscar V. Peterson.
The decision marks a shift in the Department of Defense’s approach to military ship naming.
Pete Hegseth to remove Harvey Milk’s name from a U.S. Naval ship.
Harvey Milk was a known child predator who had a romantic relationship with a 16-year-old.
Of course the Democrats are furious that a ped*phile’s name is no longer being honored. pic.twitter.com/tkTOHWM6Zd
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) June 4, 2025
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The announcement was made in a video posted by Hegseth on X, in which he stated, “We are taking the politics out of ship naming.”
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The ship, originally named in 2016 under President Barack Obama, will now carry the name of a decorated war hero who was awarded the military’s highest honor for acts of valor during the Battle of the Coral Sea.
Harvey Milk, the ship’s original namesake, was a gay rights activist and the first openly gay elected official in California.
Milk served in the Navy during the Korean War but was forced to leave the service due to his sexuality.
He was later elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and was assassinated in 1978 by former Supervisor Dan White.
Hegseth explained the rationale behind the renaming, stating, “People want to be proud of the ship they’re sailing in. We’re not renaming the ship to anything political. This is not about political activists, unlike the previous administration.”
The ship will now honor Oscar V. Peterson, a Navy machinist mate who served for two decades.
During the Battle of the Coral Sea on May 7, 1942, Peterson was aboard the U.S.S. Neosho when it came under heavy attack from Japanese forces. Despite being severely wounded and suffering third-degree burns, Peterson managed to shut down four bulkhead steam valves.
His actions prevented a potential explosion and helped keep the ship afloat, ultimately saving the lives of many of his fellow crew members.
Peterson died from his injuries on May 13, two days after 123 survivors of the Neosho were rescued by the U.S.S. Henley.
He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery and self-sacrifice.
I am pleased to announce that the United States Navy is renaming the USNS Harvey Milk to the USNS Oscar V. Peterson.
We are taking the politics out of ship naming. pic.twitter.com/2ypwAQGdAl
— Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth (@SecDef) June 27, 2025
The ship renaming is part of a broader initiative by the Department of Defense to eliminate what Hegseth has described as “woke” and DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) policies within the military.
The move follows a series of policy reviews aimed at returning military focus to mission readiness and warfighting capability.
The decision drew criticism from former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., who condemned the change in a public statement.
“This is a shameful, vindictive erasure of those who fought to break down barriers for all to chase the American Dream,” Pelosi said.
“As the rest of us are celebrating the joy of Pride Month, it is my hope that the Navy will reconsider this egregious decision.”
Our military is the most powerful in the world – but this spiteful move does not strengthen our national security or the “warrior” ethos.
It is a shameful, vindictive erasure of those who fought to break down barriers for all to chase the American Dream. https://t.co/Dc5Q6cut0r
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) June 3, 2025
Despite objections from some lawmakers, the Navy is proceeding with the renaming.
The ship’s new designation in honor of Peterson is expected to be formalized in the coming months.
The fleet oiler’s redesignation underscores the department’s commitment, under Secretary Hegseth, to prioritize service and heroism over identity politics in naming honors within the U.S. military.
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