Navy leadership is discussing renaming a Navy aircraft carrier after President Donald Trump, according to two U.S. officials — a move that would strip the honor from a heroic Black sailor who was the first of his race to receive the Navy Cross.
The ship, which is still under construction, has been set to be named the USS Doris Miller in honor of an enlisted sailor who famously manned an anti-aircraft gun during the attack on Pearl Harbor despite not having been trained on the weapon. Miller, a mess attendant, grabbed the gun during the attack and is credited with shooting down at least one Japanese plane and dragging wounded U.S. sailors to safety.
Miller was the first Black service member to receive the Navy Cross — the Navy’s second-highest honor. The USS Doris Miller would be the first aircraft carrier named after a Black person and an enlisted sailor. The decision and the announcement to name the carrier after Miller were made during Trump’s first term.
The Discussions
The two U.S. officials said discussions about changing the name have been ongoing for several months. CNN first reported the discussions.
The Navy did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the potential name change.
Ship-naming authority lies with the Navy secretary, but defense secretaries are often deeply involved in decisions to name aircraft carriers, meaning the decision will be made by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao.
The Miller Legacy
Miller is now under consideration for the Medal of Honor, but it has not been approved by the White House. Destroyers are often named after Medal of Honor recipients, but aircraft carriers are usually named after presidents.
The ship, the fourth Ford-class carrier for the Navy, could be among the first to have the Trump-ordered catapult launch system that uses steam rather than electromagnetic catapults.
The Bottom Line
The Navy is discussing renaming an aircraft carrier — currently set to honor Doris Miller, a Black Pearl Harbor hero — after President Trump. Miller was the first Black sailor to receive the Navy Cross and would be the first Black person and enlisted sailor to have a carrier named after him. The decision would be made by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The discussions have been ongoing for months.
