A serious controversy has erupted after reports emerged that the United States (U.S.) Navy was discussing renaming an under-construction aircraft carrier after President Donald Trump, instead of its original namesake, Doris Miller, an enlisted Black sailor known for his heroics in World War II.
CNNquoted two American officials revealing that the discussions to rename the warship have been going on for months.
Miller is credited for manning an anti-aircraft gun despite not being trained for it. He was a mess attendant; however, using the gun he shot down at least one Japanese plane during their attack on Pearl Harbour and helped rescue several wounded U.S. soldiers.
He became the first Black American serviceman to receive the Navy’s second-highest honour: Navy Cross.
The decision to name the carrier after him was made during President Trump’s first term and it would have marked the first instance that an aircraft carrier would have been named after an enlisted sailor instead of president.
Usually the destroyers are named after Medal of Honour recipients.
Under U.S. law and Navy regulations, the Navy secretary is responsible for naming the ship and the Defense secretary also has an active role in it. It means that the potential name change for USS Doris Miller would be decided by acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao and War Secretary Pete Hegseth.
The Navy hasn’t yet officially confirmed the name-change for the ship.
A great nephew of the World War hero reacted to the report, saying, ”It’s about an opportunity and a goal. It’s about what it means to be an American and it’s also about how we as a community can grow as one.”
2026-08-21 19:04:00
