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

Trump administrationNavy discusses renaming aircraft carrier after Trump instead of heroic Black sailorThe USS Doris Miller would be the first aircraft carrier named after a Black and an enlisted sailor. The decision to name the carrier after Miller was made during Trump’s first term.Listen to this article with a free profile00:0000:00Doris Miller was the first Black service member to receive the Navy Cross.Bettmann Archive/Getty Images fileShareAdd to GoogleAug. 20, 2026, 10:41 PM EDTBy Courtney Kube and Mosheh GainsNavy 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.Admiral Chester W. Nimitz pinning Navy Cross on Doris "Dorie" Miller at ceremony aboard the USS Enterprise, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, U.S. Office of War Information, on May 27, 1942. Universal History Archive / Universal Images Group via Getty Images fileCNN 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...