Navy considers replacing Doris Miller's name on future carrier with Trump's
The Navy is reportedly discussing renaming the future aircraft carrier USS Doris Miller, with President Trump's name among the candidates, according to CNN. The carrier, designated CVN-81, was named in 2020 to honor Pearl Harbor hero Doris Miller, the first Black American to receive the Navy Cross. No formal decision has been announced.
Miller's heroism at Pearl Harbor was unprecedented for a Black sailor in a segregated Navy, as he manned a .50-caliber anti-aircraft gun despite no formal weapons training. His Navy Cross citation marked a milestone in military recognition, though he never lived to see it—he died in 1943 when the USS Liscome Bay was sunk. The Navy previously commissioned a frigate bearing his name, which served from 1973 to 1991.
The 2020 naming ceremony, held at Pearl Harbor, was framed by officials as honoring all enlisted service members. Miller's family reportedly learned of the potential renaming only through media inquiries, and Navy records still officially list CVN-81 as USS Doris Miller. The ship remains under construction, with no formal announcement of any name change.
This reported discussion could affect how the Navy balances honoring historical figures against political currents, potentially setting a precedent for renaming ships after presidential terms. Miller's family and communities that saw his recognition as historic progress may feel marginalized if the name is removed. Conversely, supporters of the change may view it as appropriate recognition of a sitting president. The outcome could influence public trust in military naming traditions, which have historically been treated as enduring tributes rather than revisable decisions.