Story perspectives

Navy weighs renaming CVN-81 from Doris Miller

8/21/2026

Center

Navy Renames Carrier

The U.S. Navy is considering renaming the future Ford-class aircraft carrier CVN-81, currently slated to be USS Doris Miller.
Navy officials have reportedly ceased using the USS Doris Miller name internally, referring to the vessel solely as CVN-81.
The Navy intends to honor Miller by naming a different warship after him.
President Donald Trump ordered a steam catapult for the carrier, replacing the planned electromagnetic launch.

Left

Navy Considers Renaming

The U.S. Navy is weighing renaming the future Ford-class carrier CVN-81, slated as USS Doris Miller, after President Donald Trump.
Critics NAACP President Derrick Johnson and Senator Mark Kelly say the rename disrespects hero Doris Miller and makes Navy Trump’s brand.
Great-nephew Thomas Bledsoe said his family was not informed about the possible name change.
The Navy is preparing a recommendation to award Miller Medal of Honor, pending congressional approval.

Blindspot

Navy officials have reportedly ceased using the USS Doris Miller name in internal communications, referring to the future carrier solely as CVN-81.
Within this story's sources, this angle appears mainly in Center-leaning coverage and receives less attention in Left-leaning coverage.

History

Historical Context

In 1986 the Navy commissioned USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), the first Nimitz-class carrier built with modular construction, which cut 16 months from its build time. Named for President Theodore Roosevelt by Secretary of the Navy John F. Lehman, the $4.5 billion ship sparked debate over honoring presidents versus war heroes—a controversy resurfaced as officials pause the CVN-81 “USS Doris Miller” name.

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Navy Renames Carrier

The U.S. Navy is considering renaming the future Ford-class aircraft carrier CVN-81, currently slated to be USS Doris Miller.
Navy officials have reportedly ceased using the USS Doris Miller name internally, referring to the vessel solely as CVN-81.
The Navy intends to honor Miller by naming a different warship after him.
President Donald Trump ordered a steam catapult for the carrier, replacing the planned electromagnetic launch.

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