The U.S. Navy is reportedly considering renaming the under-construction aircraft carrier CVN-81—originally slated to be named USS Doris Miller—in honor of former President Donald Trump. According to CNN, citing internal sources familiar with ongoing deliberations, the process to change the ship’s name is expected to begin in early 2026. If finalized, it would mark the first time a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier bears the name of a sitting or former president—a historically unprecedented move.
A Ship Honoring a Pearl Harbor Hero
The vessel was initially designated to commemorate Doris “Dorie” Miller, an African American mess attendant who displayed extraordinary courage during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Serving aboard the battleship USS West Virginia, Miller—though untrained in weapons operation—manned an anti-aircraft machine gun and fired at enemy planes until his ammunition ran out. He then helped wounded sailors escape as the ship sank. For his actions, he was awarded the Navy Cross in 1942 by Admiral Chester Nimitz—the highest U.S. Navy decoration available to him at the time—and became the first Black sailor to participate in a national war bond tour alongside white officers.
Broader Recognition Efforts Continue
Even as the naming discussion unfolds, the Navy is exploring alternative ways to honor Miller—including potentially assigning his name to another warship. It is also actively supporting a long-standing campaign to posthumously award him the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military decoration for valor. Final approval rests with both Congress and the sitting U.S. president.
Miller’s family has not been formally notified about the potential name change. Thomas Blends, Miller’s great-grandson, told CNN the family has worked for years to secure the Medal of Honor for their ancestor and described the Navy’s broader efforts to recognize Miller as “very positive.”
Martin died in November 1943 during the Battle of the Gilbert Islands, aboard the escort carrier USS Liscome Bay, which was torpedoed and sunk by a Japanese submarine. His legacy endures as a symbol of bravery, dignity, and the struggle for racial equity in the U.S. armed forces.