US Navy considers renaming USS Doris Miller to USS Donald Trump

The United States Navy is evaluating a proposal to rename the future Gerald R. Ford-class nuclear aircraft carrier, CVN-81, from the USS ‘Doris Miller’ to the USS ‘Donald Trump’. This potential change follows a White House memorandum and has sparked significant controversy regarding the erasure of military historical memory.

Doris Miller, a Navy cook and sailor, was the first African American to receive the Navy Cross for his heroic actions during the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. The decision to name the vessel after him was made six years ago to honor his legacy and civil rights history.

In addition to the potential renaming, the Navy is considering technical reconfigurations to reduce costs. These include replacing the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) and advanced weapons elevators with conventional steam catapults and hydraulic elevators. These reviews come amid concerns over acquisition costs and construction delays at Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia, with the ship's delivery currently projected for February 2034.