Navy discusses renaming aircraft carrier after Trump instead of heroic Black sailor

Navy leadership is discussing renaming a Navy aircraft carrier after President Donald Trump, according to two U.S. officials.

The ship, which is still under construction, has been set to be named the USS Doris Miller in honor of an enlisted sailor who famously staffed an anti-aircraft gun during the attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, during World War II despite not having been trained on the weapon. Miller, a mess attendant, grabbed the gun during the attack and is credited with shooting down at least one Japanese plane and dragging wounded U.S. sailors to safety.

Miller was the first Black service member to receive the Navy Cross — the Navy’s second-highest honor.

CNN first reported the discussions to rename the aircraft carrier.

The USS Doris Miller would be the first aircraft carrier named after a Black and an enlisted sailor. The decision and the announcement to name the carrier after Miller were made during Trump’s first term.

The two U.S. officials said discussion about changing the name has been ongoing for several months.

The Navy did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the potential name change.

The two officials said that Miller is now under consideration for the Medal of Honor but that it has not been approved by the White House. Destroyers are often named after Medal of Honor recipients, but aircraft carriers are usually named after presidents.

Ship-naming authority lies with the Navy secretary, but defense secretaries are often deeply involved in decisions to name aircraft carriers, meaning the decision will be made by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao.

The ship, the fourth Ford-class carrier for the Navy, could be among the first to have the Trump-ordered catapult launch system that uses steam rather than electromagnetic catapults.