What You Need to Know
• Navy leadership is considering renaming the USS Doris Miller aircraft carrier after President Donald Trump.
• The USS Doris Miller was originally named to honor Doris “Dorie” Miller, a Pearl Harbor hero.
• Discussions about the name change have been ongoing for several months, according to two U.S. officials.
Navy leadership is contemplating renaming the USS Doris Miller aircraft carrier after former President Donald Trump. The ship, currently under construction, was initially designated to honor Doris “Dorie” Miller, an enlisted sailor who heroically manned an anti-aircraft gun during the Pearl Harbor attack on December 7, 1941. Miller, who was a mess attendant, is credited with shooting down at least one Japanese plane and rescuing wounded sailors. He was the first Black service member to receive the Navy Cross, the Navy’s second-highest honor. Discussions regarding the potential name change have been ongoing for several months, and the Navy has not yet commented on the matter. The USS Doris Miller would be the first aircraft carrier named after a Black enlisted sailor if the name remains unchanged.
Why It Matters
The consideration to rename the USS Doris Miller aircraft carrier highlights ongoing discussions about representation and recognition within the U.S. Navy. Doris “Dorie” Miller’s legacy as a hero during World War II is significant, as he was the first Black service member to receive the Navy Cross. The decision to name aircraft carriers typically involves high-level officials, including the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of the Navy, indicating the importance of this naming process. This situation reflects broader societal conversations about honoring historical figures and the implications of such decisions in contemporary contexts.
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