The U.S. Navy is reportedly considering a major change to its naming traditions. Discussions are underway to replace the planned USS Doris Miller name with one honoring President Donald Trump.
The move is being heavily criticized, especially because the vessel was originally designated to honor a celebrated Black World War II hero.
The US Navy faces backlash over discussions to replace Doris Miller’s name on a Ford-class carrier with Donald Trump
According to CNN, the U.S. Navy is looking to rename a Ford-class aircraft carrier currently known as CVN-81. The vessel was originally named after USS Doris Miller in 2020. Sources close to the outlet have said that there is contention over naming it after U.S. President Donald Trump. If approved, it may set a new precedent – no U.S. aircraft carrier has ever been named after a sitting president.
However, a Department of Defense spokesperson told CNN there was “nothing to announce at this time.”
Reportedly, Miller was aboard the USS West Virginia when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. The hero helped all wounded sailors to safety and tried to man an anti-aircraft gun even without training. Miller continued firing at the enemy aircraft until he ran out of ammunition.
When the carrier was named in Miller’s honor in 2020, then-Acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly praised his service. “Dorie Miller was the son of a sharecropper. And, he was an American sailor — so designated by the uniform that he wore — the same uniform all sailors wore, and still wear, regardless of race, ethnic background, or political persuasion,” Modly said.
Modly later told CNN, “One of our most powerful warships should bear the name of a sailor like Miller to bring greater attention to what makes our Navy so unique — and great.”
He added, “When they are named for people like Doris Miller, they raise broader awareness of the heroism, patriotism and sacrifices of all American sailors — not merely their commanders.”
CNN reported that the carrier remains under construction and is expected to be delivered in 2034.
WHAT IS YOUR OPINION ON THE NAMING?
Originally reported by Sreemanti Sengupta on Reality Tea
