Pentagon Scrubs Navy Ship Name Honoring Harvey Milk—Now Celebrates WWII Hero
On June 27, 2025, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that the Navy supply vessel formerly known as USNS Harvey Milk will now be renamed USNS Oscar V. Peterson, honoring a Medal of Honor recipient from World War II. Hegseth framed the decision as a shift to remove political influence from ship names and instead focus on military accomplishment and heroism.
Meet the New Namesake: Oscar V. Peterson
Oscar V. Peterson was a U.S. Navy Chief Watertender who served aboard the USS Neosho during the Battle of the Coral Sea in 1942. After a devastating attack by Japanese forces, he led efforts to seal steam valves and contain damage despite suffering severe wounds. His actions kept the ship afloat but ultimately cost him his life. He received the Medal of Honor posthumously for his courageous leadership and sacrifice.
Why Not Harvey Milk?
The ship had been named after Harvey Milk, a former Navy diver turned gay rights pioneer and one of the first openly gay officials elected in California, killed in 1978. His name was bestowed during the Obama administration, as part of a broader effort to honor civil and human rights figures in the Navy.
Reactions from Capitol Hill and Activists
The decision drew swift backlash. Many critics view it as politically motivated—especially since the change was announced during Pride Month. California Governor Gavin Newsom and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi denounced it as erasure of LGBTQ+ heritage. Milk’s nephew, Stuart Milk, warned the move could galvanize minority groups.
Part of a Broader Shift in Military Culture
This renaming fits into a wider effort by the Trump–Hegseth team to roll back diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives within the Department of Defense. It’s similar to the reinstatement of Confederate-era names on Army bases and the repeal of policies supporting transgender service. The administration's mission: return to what they call a “warrior culture.”
What Happens Next?
Renaming a commissioned vessel is rare and costly—requiring new documentation, repainting, signage, and logistics. No timeline or expense details have been released yet. The Navy has indicated that no other John Lewis–class oilers (honoring civil-rights leaders like Ruth Bader Ginsburg or Thurgood Marshall) will be renamed at this time.
Why This Matters
- Pride Month Timing: The change’s June 27 announcement amidst global Pride events intensified emotions.
- Cultural Flashpoint: It’s emblematic of broader ideological battles over how military history and social values are represented and commemorated.
- Public Perception: Supporters say honoring a Medal of Honor hero restores tradition. Critics say it erases LGBTQ+ visibility and advances exclusionary politics.
The renaming of USNS Harvey Milk to USNS Oscar V. Peterson signals more than a simple label change—it reflects a conscious cultural pivot within the Pentagon. It comes down to how Americans choose to honor heroes: with political symbolism or traditional military valor. Either way, this shift will continue stirring debate over how the armed forces reflect—or resist—broader social values.
