Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth Orders Removal of Harvey Milk’s Name from Navy Ship During Pride Month

A controversial decision by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ignited debate after he ordered the removal of Harvey Milk’s name from the USNS Harvey Milk, a Navy replenishment oiler. The timing of the announcement—during Pride Month—has drawn sharp criticism, with many viewing it as a deliberate affront to LGBTQ+ recognition. The ship is among several being reviewed for renaming, including those honoring civil rights figures like Thurgood Marshall, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Harriet Tubman.

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell stated the move aligns with Hegseth’s goal to ensure military assets reflect the “Commander-in-Chief’s priorities, our nation’s history, and the warrior ethos.” Critics, however, argue the decision erases the legacy of Harvey Milk, a Navy veteran and pioneering LGBTQ+ leader. The Pride Month announcement has amplified accusations of political symbolism, with LGBTQ+ advocates calling it a targeted dismissal of queer contributions to military history.

Harvey Milk’s story is one of service and sacrifice. He served in the Navy during the Korean War aboard submarines like the USS Chanticleer and USS Kittiwake but was forced to resign after being questioned about his sexuality, accepting an “other than honorable” discharge. After leaving the military, Milk became one of the first openly gay elected officials in the U.S., winning a seat on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1977. His career was cut short when he was assassinated in 1978, but his advocacy paved the way for LGBTQ+ rights.

This isn’t Hegseth’s first high-profile renaming effort. Earlier this year, he reversed the name of Fort Moore—originally honoring Vietnam War hero Gen. Hal Moore—back to Fort Benning, a name tied to Confederate Gen. Henry Benning. To circumvent laws banning Confederate honors, Hegseth cited the fort’s new namesake as WWI soldier Cpl. Fred G. Benning.

Hegseth has been vocal in opposing the removal of Confederate memorials, calling such efforts a “sham” in a 2024 CNN interview. His latest actions suggest a broader campaign to redefine military commemorations in line with conservative values, raising concerns about selective historical recognition.

The backlash has been swift, with civil rights groups condemning the move as an erasure of progressive legacies. No replacement names have been announced, leaving questions about which figures the military will prioritize. For LGBTQ+ advocates, the decision underscores ongoing struggles for visibility, particularly during Pride Month.

As debates over history and representation intensify, the removal of Harvey Milk’s name serves as a flashpoint in America’s cultural divide. The controversy highlights who gets to shape national memory—and whose stories are deemed worthy of honor.

“Secretary Hegseth is committed to ensuring that the names attached to all DOD installations and assets are reflective of the Commander-in-Chief’s priorities…” — Sean Parnell, Pentagon Spokesman.

The decision leaves a lingering question: In a nation with a complex history, whose legacy deserves to stand the test of time?