U.S. Navy Commemorates LGBTQ+ Legacy with Ship Renaming in Honor of Harvey Milk

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According to a recent declaration from Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, the U.S. Navy has officially changed the name of the fleet replenishment oiler USNS Harvey Milk (TAO-206) to USNS Oscar V.Peterson (TAO-206). This update was shared in a video on social media platform X.Oscar V. Peterson served as a chief watertender during World War II and was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery at the Battle of Coral Sea. Despite sustaining injuries, he heroically managed fuel valves aboard the USS Neosho, ultimately sacrificing his life to prevent further damage.This renaming decision follows a Pentagon review focused on naval vessels named after civil rights figures. A senior defense official indicated that this review stemmed from efforts initiated during the Trump governance aimed at reducing diversity and inclusion initiatives within federal agencies. The USNS Harvey Milk emerged as a candidate for renaming during this evaluation.

A memo obtained by USNI News highlighted that this name change is part of an initiative to restore what they refer to as “warrior culture” within naval traditions while also emphasizing respect for the Secretary of the Navy’s authority over ship naming conventions.

On June 26, 2025, Secretary John C.Phelan executed this renaming directive under Hegseth’s guidance. The transition will involve repainting and updating ship markings along with acquiring new branded materials.Typically aligned with maintenance schedules,these updates are expected to be finalized within six months once funding is secured.

Currently docked at Alabama Shipyard in Mobile for routine upkeep, officials noted that this location would facilitate logistical adjustments necessary for implementing the name change effectively.

In his video message announcing this shift,Secretary Hegseth emphasized an intention to depoliticize ship naming practices moving forward. He remarked that under previous administrations ther had been support for naming ships after activists but stated that military personnel should take pride in their vessels’ names without political connotations.The original vessel was named in 2016 by then-Navy Secretary Ray Mabus after Harvey Milk—a Navy veteran and California’s first openly gay elected official who was tragically assassinated in 1978—as part of an initiative honoring civil rights leaders like Rep. John Lewis through john Lewis-class oilers.

as it stands now, there are no plans announced regarding renaming other ships within this class at present time.