Navy Aircraft Carrier Naming: Trump vs Doris Miller

The United States Navy is reportedly weighing whether to rename a future aircraft carrier that was designated to honor Pearl Harbor hero Doris "Dorie" Miller, potentially replacing his name with that of President Donald Trump. Such a move would mark an unprecedented departure from naval tradition: no American aircraft carrier has ever been named after a sitting president.

According to a CNN report, the Navy is working on changing the name of a Gerald Ford-class carrier currently known by its hull number, CVN-81. The vessel was announced in 2020 as the USS Doris Miller, honoring the African-American sailor who served in the US Navy during World War II.

Miller became one of the most recognized symbols of American heroism at Pearl Harbor. On December 7, 1941, when Japanese aircraft attacked the American base, Miller was aboard the battleship USS West Virginia. Despite having received no training in operating anti-aircraft weapons, he took control of a gun position and fired at the attacking Japanese planes. He simultaneously helped his wounded commanding officer and evacuated other sailors from the ship.

For his actions, Miller received the Navy Cross, becoming the first African-American to receive the decoration. His bravery transformed him into an iconic figure in US Navy history. The original decision to name the carrier after him carried particular significance: it would have been the first aircraft carrier named after an enlisted sailor, and the first named after an African-American.

However, CNN now reports that the Navy is reconsidering that decision. Two sources told the network that internal discussions have taken place regarding the possibility of naming the carrier after Donald Trump. No final decision has been reached, and it remains unclear what the ship's eventual name will be.

The report gains additional context from comments Trump himself made in 2020, shortly after the Navy announced the carrier would be named for Miller. At the time, Trump praised the decision but added, referring to aircraft carriers, that "they're not going to give me that honor," before saying, "maybe someday."

Now, six years after that remark, the possibility of Trump receiving a carrier named in his honor has resurfacedm except this time he remains in office. To date, American aircraft carriers have been named after presidents including George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, but never after a president during their term in office.

The discussions occur against the backdrop of a broader review of Navy ship-naming protocols. According to the report, acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao and his office are examining updates to the guidelines governing whom vessels may be named after, with one option being to expand the possibility of naming carriers after presidents.

Meanwhile, the Navy might name another vessel after Miller and the Navy has submitted his name for consideration for the Medal of Honor, the United States' highest military decoration for valor. The final decision on the medal does not rest with the Navy alone.

Miller's family, however, has not been officially informed about the potential name change for the aircraft carrier. According to CNN, a family member said the relatives were unaware of these discussions. The Pentagon has also not announced any official decision on the matter at this stage.