In a bold move that’s sure to ruffle feathers, the U.S. Navy has decided to rename the USNS Harvey Milk after a true battlefield hero, Oscar V. Peterson.
Breitbart reported that on Friday morning, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced via a video on X that the fleet replenishment oiler, once named for a prominent gay rights figure, will now honor a Navy Medal of Honor recipient.
This decision, directed by Navy Secretary John Phelan under Hegseth’s orders, comes with deliberate timing during Pride Month, a choice that’s already sparking heated debate from progressive circles.
Hegseth didn’t mince words, declaring, “We are taking the politics out of ship naming.” That’s a refreshing stance for those of us tired of seeing military honors tangled up with cultural agendas, though it’s hard not to see the irony of timing this for maximum attention.
The rename aligns with a broader push by President Trump and Hegseth to foster what they call a “warrior culture” in the armed forces. It’s a nod to prioritizing battlefield grit over social causes, a shift many will argue is long overdue.
Instead of a political activist, the ship will now bear the name of Oscar V. Peterson, a Navy chief who exemplified courage during the Battle of the Coral Sea in May 1942. His story deserves the spotlight, and this renaming ensures it gets just that.
Peterson led a repair party on the USS Neosho when Japanese dive bombers struck, leaving the ship crippled and his entire team either dead or gravely wounded. Despite the chaos, he pressed on with unwavering resolve.
Gravely injured himself, Peterson single-handedly sealed a critical bulkhead valve, a move that kept the ship operational even as he sustained further burns and wounds. That kind of sacrifice is the stuff of legend.
His actions, which ultimately cost him his life, earned him a posthumous Medal of Honor, reflecting the Navy’s highest traditions of selflessness and duty. If any name belongs on a warship, it’s surely his.
Not everyone’s on board with this change, as figures on the left have come out swinging against the decision.
Actor Sean Penn quipped, “I’ve never before seen a Secretary of Defense so aggressively demote himself to the rank of Chief PETTY Officer.” Clever, but it sidesteps the point of honoring undeniable valor over symbolic gestures.
Screenwriter Dustin Lance Black called it “yet another move to distract and to fuel the culture wars that create division.” That’s a predictable critique, though one might ask if naming a ship after a political figure in the first place wasn’t already divisive.
Late-night host Stephen Colbert weighed in with, “Short-sighted and long-stupided and unsurprising.” It’s a snappy jab, but it glosses over the fact that Peterson’s heroism isn’t a matter of opinion—it’s a matter of record.
Colbert also noted that Harvey Milk was a warrior “who was killed while fighting for his and many other people’s rights to exist.” It’s a fair point that Milk’s legacy as a trailblazer for gay rights holds deep meaning for many, and the Department of Veterans Affairs has recognized his embodiment of honor and courage.
Yet, there’s a valid argument that military vessels should prioritize those who served in combat or direct military roles, keeping the focus on the Navy’s core mission. This rename isn’t about erasing history but about ensuring the right context for honoring sacrifice on the high seas.