US Navy Renames Ship in Honor of Medal of Honor Recipient

In a significant move, the US Navy has officially renamed the ship previously named after gay rights icon Harvey Milk to honor USNS Oscar V. Peterson, a Medal of Honor recipient from World War II.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegses stated, “We are moving beyond the politics surrounding the naming of this ship. This isn’t about political activists, unlike what we’ve seen in the past.” He emphasized that the name change focuses on honoring the service and sacrifices of Navy personnel.

The USNS Oscar V. Peterson serves as a replenishment oiler, supporting carrier strike groups at sea. Initially named during the Biden administration in 2021, the ship was previously named after Milk, who served in the Korean War but faced discharge from the Navy due to his sexual orientation.

Harvey Milk was notable for becoming one of the first openly elected officials in the U.S. when he ran for a position on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1977. Tragically, he and Mayor George Moscone were assassinated in 1978 by a former city supervisor opposed to their advocacy for LGBTQ rights.

In contrast, Chief Watertender Oscar V. Peterson received the Medal of Honor posthumously for his courageous actions during the Battle of the Coral Sea in May 1942. While leading a repair party on the USS Neo Show, Peterson was severely injured as he worked to save the ship after it was damaged by enemy attacks, ultimately succumbing to his injuries later on.

The timing of this name change coincides with the end of Pride Month, a period filled with LGBTQ celebrations in various cities, including New York. Navy Secretary John Phelan recently circulated a memo indicating plans to review and possibly change several ship names to better reflect Navy culture.

Additionally, other vessels under consideration for name changes include USNS Thurgood Marshall, USNS Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and USNS Harriet Tubman, among others.