US Navy Considers Renaming CVN-81 After Trump Instead Of Pearl Harbour Hero Doris Miller
Our take
The potential renaming of the USS CVN-81, currently slated to honor Doris Miller, a Pearl Harbor hero, to honor a sitting or former president, represents a significant shift in naval tradition and raises complex questions about the intersection of politics and military commemoration. The U.S. Navy’s decision-making process, particularly concerning the naming of vessels, has historically been steeped in honoring individuals who embody exceptional service and valor. This proposed change, particularly if enacted while the individual is still in office, would be unprecedented, potentially undermining the symbolic weight and historical continuity associated with naval naming conventions. The current geopolitical landscape, as evidenced by [U.S. Vows “Toughest Sanctions In History” Against Iran, Urges China To Help Reopen Hormuz], highlights the strategic importance of naval assets and the scrutiny under which they operate. Such a politically charged naming decision could be perceived as a politicization of the military, potentially impacting morale and international perceptions of the U.S. Navy’s impartiality. Considering the ongoing concerns regarding crew conditions aboard carriers like the USS George Washington, as detailed in [U.S. Navy Aircraft Carrier George Washington Reaches Arabian Sea As USS Lincoln’s 250-Day Deployment Ends], prioritizing symbolic gestures over operational realities and personnel well-being appears short-sighted.
The historical precedent for naming ships after political figures is limited, and the practice has generally been reserved for individuals who have demonstrated a long and distinguished record of public service *after* their time in office. To name a ship after a sitting president, especially one actively engaged in political discourse, creates a direct link between the military and partisan politics. While the global shipbuilding orderbook is experiencing unprecedented growth, as shown in [Global Ship Orderbook Expands 27% Year-on-Year, Marking Fastest Growth Since 2008], the focus should remain on ensuring that these vessels are symbols of national strength and enduring values, rather than partisan affiliations. The symbolism of honoring Miller, a Black man who demonstrated extraordinary bravery during a pivotal moment in American history, stands in stark contrast to the potential implications of honoring a contemporary political figure. Miller's story represents resilience, courage, and the integration of diverse contributions to national defense – a message of profound and lasting value.
Beyond the immediate symbolism, this debate underscores a broader trend of blurring the lines between civilian and military spheres. A military’s strength derives, in part, from its perceived apolitical nature and its ability to maintain public trust across the political spectrum. Decisions like this can erode that trust, particularly among those who serve, and potentially impact recruitment and retention. The Navy operates in a complex and often volatile international environment; maintaining a reputation for professionalism and impartiality is crucial for effective operations and diplomatic engagement. A politically motivated naming decision risks undermining this carefully cultivated image. The historical record of naval vessels serves as a tangible link to past generations of service members and the values they upheld. Altering this legacy for short-term political gain could have long-term consequences for the Navy’s institutional identity.
Ultimately, the decision to rename the CVN-81 carries significant weight, extending far beyond a simple change of nomenclature. It prompts a critical examination of the values we prioritize in commemorating military service and the potential ramifications of politicizing the armed forces. Moving forward, it will be crucial to rigorously evaluate the criteria for naming naval vessels, ensuring that these decisions reflect enduring principles of valor, service, and national unity, rather than fleeting political considerations. Will the Navy establish clear, consistently applied guidelines for ship naming to prevent similar controversies in the future, and how will it balance the desire to honor prominent figures with the need to maintain the institution's apolitical standing?
The U.S. Navy is considering changing the name of a future aircraft carrier that was set to honour Doris “Dorie” Miller, a Black sailor known for his actions during Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor, according to three sources familiar with internal discussions.
The Ford-class carrier, known by its hull number CVN-81, was announced in 2020 as the future USS Doris Miller. Two of the sources said the Navy has also discussed naming the carrier after President Donald Trump, though no final decision has been announced.
If the carrier is named after Trump while he is serving as president, it would be the first aircraft carrier named after a sitting U.S. president.
The Navy is considering naming another warship after Miller instead, according to one source. It is also recommending him for the Medal of Honor, the highest U.S. military award for valor. The final approval for the award would require action by Congress and approval from Trump.
The Navy is under pressure to finalise the carrier’s name before its keel-laying ceremony, which is expected at the end of 2026. The ceremony is a public event marking an important stage in a ship’s construction. CVN-81 is not expected to be delivered until 2034 because of shipbuilder constraints.
Navy Using CVN-81 Internally
The effort to reconsider the carrier’s name has been underway since earlier this year, the sources said.
One source said the Navy has largely stopped referring to the ship internally as USS Doris Miller and is instead using only its hull number, CVN-81.
A recent White House executive order on shipbuilding also referred to the vessel only as CVN-81. The order asked the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of the Navy to submit a plan to replace the ship’s electromagnetic aircraft launch system with steam and hydraulic systems.
Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao and his office have also been reviewing the rules on how Navy ships are named and who they can be named after, including presidents, two sources said.
Thomas Bledsoe, Miller’s great-nephew, said the family had not been told about the possible change to the carrier’s name or the renewed effort to award Miller the Medal of Honor.
Bledsoe said the family had been trying to secure the Medal of Honor for Miller for years and described the Navy’s recommendation as “very positive.”
Why the Carrier Was Named After Doris Miller?
Former Acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas Modly announced in January 2020 that the aircraft carrier would be named after Miller. The announcement was made during a Martin Luther King Jr. Day ceremony at Pearl Harbor.
“Dorie Miller was the son of a sharecropper,” Modly said at the ceremony, according to a Navy release. “And, he was an American sailor,” wearing the same uniform as sailors of all races and backgrounds.
The decision would have made USS Doris Miller the first U.S. aircraft carrier named after an enlisted sailor and the first named after an African American.
Modly, who held Navy leadership positions from 2017 to 2020, later said the name had been recommended by a group of retired Black admirals.
He said the purpose of such names was to represent and unite the Navy and the country, and that naming a major warship after Miller would bring more attention to the service and sacrifice of enlisted sailors.
Miller’s Actions at Pearl Harbor
Miller was from Waco, Texas, and joined the U.S. Navy in 1939.
When Japan attacked Pearl Harbor in 1941, Miller was serving as a Mess Attendant Third Class and was collecting laundry when the bombing began.
At the time, mess attendant was one of the few roles open to Black men in the U.S. Navy. Damage caused during the attack prevented Miller from reaching his assigned battle station.
He helped his wounded commanding officer and later took control of an anti-aircraft gun, despite having no training on the system, and fired at Japanese aircraft.
According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, Miller continued firing until he ran out of ammunition and the ship began to sink. He then helped other sailors reach safety before making his way ashore.
In 1942, Admiral Chester Nimitz awarded Miller the Navy Cross.
He later joined a War Bond tour with several white service members, becoming the first African American allowed to take part in the speaking tour, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs.
About a year later, Miller was killed during the Battle of Makin when his ship was hit by a torpedo fired by a Japanese submarine.
Miller was also portrayed by Cuba Gooding Jr. in the 2001 film Pearl Harbor.
Navy Reviewing How Ships Are Named
In 2025, the Navy formed a renaming commission under former Navy Secretary John Phelan to review the naming of ships and other military assets.
A person familiar with Phelan’s views said he believed aircraft carriers should be named only after U.S. presidents, Navy admirals and important naval battles.
While serving as Navy secretary, Phelan requested a study by the Naval History & Heritage Command. He was removed before the review was completed and did not officially comment on the Doris Miller naming decision, according to the source.
The review is part of efforts within the Pentagon under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to remove names chosen for what the administration considers diversity, equity and inclusion purposes.
Hegseth previously sought to rename U.S. Army bases that honored Confederate Army officers by finding other military personnel with the same last names.
In 2025, he also ordered the Navy to rename the USNS Harvey Milk, which was named after the Navy veteran and gay rights activist.
At the time, Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said Hegseth wanted military asset names to reflect “the Commander-in-Chief’s priorities, our nation’s history, and the warrior ethos.”
Renaming a ship after it enters service is unusual, although CVN-81 is still under construction and has not yet been commissioned.
Several active U.S. aircraft carriers are named after former presidents, including USS Abraham Lincoln, USS George H.W. Bush, USS Ronald Reagan and USS George Washington. None entered service while their namesakes were still in office.
Other carriers have been named after prominent figures outside the presidency. USS Nimitz is named after Admiral Chester Nimitz, who commanded the U.S. Pacific Fleet during World War Two, while USS Carl Vinson is named after the former Georgia congressman who chaired the House Naval Affairs and Armed Services Committee.
References: CNN, kwtx
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