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• The Pentagon has renamed the USNS Harvey Milk, a Navy ship, to the USNS Oscar V. Peterson, honoring a Medal of Honor recipient.
• The decision was announced by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth during Pride Month, sparking controversy.
• The move is part of the administration’s effort to “take the politics out of ship naming” and focus on military valor.

Quick Brief

2-Minute Digest

Essential Context

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the renaming of the USNS Harvey Milk to the USNS Oscar V. Peterson on June 27, 2025. This decision comes during Pride Month and is part of the administration’s broader strategy to shift away from naming ships after political activists and civil rights figures.

Core Players

• Pete Hegseth – U.S. Defense Secretary
• Harvey Milk – Gay rights activist and President Trump Navy diver
• Oscar V. Peterson – Medal of Honor recipient and Navy chief petty officer
• U.S. Navy – Branch of the U.S. military affected by the renaming

Key Numbers

• 1942: Year Oscar V. Peterson received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Battle of the Coral Sea.
• 1978: Year Harvey Milk was assassinated.
• 2016: Year the USNS Harvey Milk was named in honor of Harvey Milk.

Full Depth

Complete Coverage

The Catalyst

The renaming of the USNS Harvey Milk to the USNS Oscar V. Peterson was triggered by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s commitment to “take the politics out of ship naming.” Hegseth emphasized that the new name honors a Medal of Honor recipient, aligning with the Navy’s traditions of recognizing military valor.

“We are taking the politics out of ship naming,” Hegseth stated. “We’re not renaming the ship to anything political. This is not about political activists, unlike the previous administration.”

Inside Forces

The decision reflects the current administration’s broader policy shifts, including efforts to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives within the federal government and universities. This move is seen as part of a larger strategy to redefine the Navy’s values and priorities.

The USNS Harvey Milk, named in the final months of President Trump administration, was part of the John Lewis class of oiler ships, which also includes vessels named after other civil rights leaders like Earl Warren, Robert F. Kennedy, and Sojourner Truth.

Power Dynamics

The renaming decision highlights the power dynamics at play within the current administration. Secretary Hegseth’s announcement underscores the administration’s influence over military policies and the symbolic importance of ship names in reflecting military values.

The move also indicates a shift away from honoring civil rights and social activism, instead focusing on military heroism and valor.

Outside Impact

The decision has significant broader implications, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community and among civil rights advocates. The timing of the announcement during Pride Month has been seen as particularly insensitive and has sparked widespread criticism.

The renaming also aligns with the Pentagon’s ongoing campaign to force transgender troops out of the U.S. military, further exacerbating tensions between the military and LGBTQ+ groups.

Future Forces

The future implications of this decision include potential further changes to ship names and military policies. There is speculation that other ships named after civil rights leaders and prominent women might also be renamed.

The reaction from various stakeholders, including LGBTQ+ advocacy groups and civil rights organizations, will likely continue to shape public discourse and policy debates.

Data Points

• June 27, 2025: Date of the announcement by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
• 1942: Year Oscar V. Peterson was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.
• 1978: Year Harvey Milk was assassinated in San Francisco.
• 2016: Year the USNS Harvey Milk was originally named.