Summary
The USNS Harvey Milk will be renamed to honor World War II sailor Navy Chief Petty Officer Oscar V. Peterson, who received the Medal of Honor. This decision means removing the name of Harvey Milk, a well-known gay rights activist, from the ship.
Key Facts
- The USNS Harvey Milk was initially named after Harvey Milk, a gay rights activist and politician.
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the ship will be renamed in honor of Oscar V. Peterson.
- Oscar V. Peterson received the Medal of Honor for his bravery during the 1942 Battle of the Coral Sea.
- The decision to rename the ship is part of efforts to remove politically charged names from military assets.
- Harvey Milk served in the Navy but was ousted because he was gay; he was later elected to public office.
- The ship renaming coincides with Pride Month and ongoing discussions about diversity in the military.
- The USS Peterson was another ship named after Oscar V. Peterson and was in service for more than 20 years.
