Full Breakdown
Navy Considers Renaming USS Doris Miller Carrier After Donald Trump
8/21/2026, 9:39:55 PM
Core Event: Possible Renaming of CVN-81
In August 2026, multiple news outlets reported that senior Navy officials are discussing whether to rename the Ford-class aircraft carrier CVN-81, currently slated to be the USS Doris Miller, after President Donald Trump. The carrier is still under construction in Virginia and is expected to be delivered in 2034. Renaming the ship after a sitting president would be unprecedented; no U.S. aircraft carrier has ever borne the name of a president while he remains in office.
Background & Context: Naming traditions and Miller’s legacy
The ship was announced in 2020 as the first carrier to honor an enlisted sailor and the first to bear the name of an African-American. Doris “Dorie” Miller was a mess attendant on the battleship USS West Virginia during the Pearl Harbor attack. He manned an anti-aircraft gun without formal training, was credited with shooting down at least one Japanese plane, and helped move wounded crew members to safety. Miller received the Navy Cross and is under consideration for an upgrade to the Medal of Honor, a recommendation that would require congressional and presidential approval.
Data & Statistics
- CVN-81: fourth Gerald R. Ford-class carrier, keel-laying ceremony slated for the end of 2026, delivery projected for 2034.
- Naming precedent: carriers are typically named for presidents (e.g., USS Abraham Lincoln, USS George H.W. Bush) or historic naval figures; none have been named for a sitting president.
- Historical note: Admiral Chester W. Nimitz presented Miller’s Navy Cross on May 27, 1942.
Official Statements & Responses
The Navy has not issued a formal comment on the renaming discussions. Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth would approve any name change. The White House referred media inquiries to the Pentagon, which declined to comment.
Verbatim Quotes
- “This is a slap in the face to every war hero and every service member who has worn the uniform,” — Derrick Johnson, president of the NAACP.
- “Donald Trump is making a mockery of that legacy by treating military service as another opportunity for personal branding.” — Mark Kelly, Democratic U.S. senator from Arizona and retired navy officer.
- “Learning of this possibility of the name change comes as a shock to not only myself but my family as well, and we are hoping that this doesn't come to fruition.” — Thomas Bledsoe, Miller's great-nephew and family spokesperson.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the immediacy of a decision. NBC News cited two officials saying discussions have been ongoing for several months, while CNN reported that the Navy has stopped referring to the ship as USS Doris Miller internally, using only the hull number CVN-81. No final decision has been announced, and the family of Doris Miller says they were not informed of the possible change. The status of the Medal of Honor recommendation also remains unclear; the Pentagon has not confirmed whether the award has been approved.
