Pete Hegseth Reveals New Name for USNS Harvey Milk
NewsweekJUN 30
US Navy Renames USNS Harvey Milk to Honor WWII Medal Winner
Above: A photo of the USNS Harvey Milk is displayed during its naming ceremony in San Francisco, California, on Aug. 16, 2016. Image copyright: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
The Spin
Republican narrative
This decision restores honor to military ship naming by recognizing genuine war heroes instead of political activists. Military vessels should commemorate those who demonstrated battlefield valor and sacrifice, not social movements. Peterson's Medal of Honor actions during WWII represent the warrior ethos that should define America's armed forces.
Democratic narrative
Removing Harvey Milk's name during Pride Month represents discriminatory erasure of LGBTQ+ military contributions and sends a dangerous message that some veterans' sacrifices are second-class. This political act contradicts claims of removing politics from ship naming while dishonoring a Navy veteran who served his country.