US Navy Ship USNS Harvey Milk Set for Renaming Amid Major Culture Shift

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has announced plans to rename the U.S. Navy ship dedicated to the iconic San Francisco gay rights pioneer Harvey Milk. This strategic decision marks a significant shift within the military’s culture, aligning with ongoing efforts to redefine institutional values.

The Military Times was the first to uncover a memorandum from the Office of the Secretary of the Navy detailing preparations to strip the ship of its name. According to reports, Hegseth has instructed Navy Secretary John Phelan to proceed with the renaming, a move coincidentally timed during Pride Month.

Cultural Shift in the Department of Defense

The memo outlines that the renaming is part of a broader initiative to realign the U.S. Department of Defense with the administration’s objectives. The goal, as stated, is to reaffirm the warrior culture as prioritized by President Biden, the Secretary of Defense, and the Secretary of the Navy.

Many analysts view this action as indicative of a larger trend within the military that seeks to emphasize traditional values over more progressive ideals. While the rationale behind this decision has been presented as a cultural realignment, critics argue it risks erasing significant historical legacies.

Response from the Pentagon

Fox News Digital reached out to officials at both the Department of Defense and the U.S. Navy but has yet to receive an official response. In an email statement, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell neither confirmed nor denied the renaming of the ship, suggesting other name changes may be forthcoming.

Parnell emphasized Secretary Hegseth’s commitment to ensuring that all military assets reflect the values of the Commander-in-Chief, U.S. history, and the warrior ethos. He mentioned that any potential renaming decisions would await the completion of internal reviews.

The Legacy of Harvey Milk

The USNS Harvey Milk was commissioned in 2016 during the Obama administration to honor Milk’s contributions to civil rights and LGBTQ+ activism. The ship completed its maiden voyage in 2024, arriving in San Francisco to widespread acclaim and celebration.

The Harvey Milk Foundation, dedicated to preserving Milk’s legacy, has highlighted his impact as a visionary civil and human rights leader. Milk notably became one of America’s first openly gay elected officials when he took office in 1977.

Having served in the Navy from 1951 until 1955, Milk resigned at the rank of lieutenant junior grade after being interrogated about his sexual orientation. His military background and commitment to equality have long made him a symbol of the fight for LGBTQ+ rights.