**US Navy Considers Renaming Aircraft Carrier Honoring Black Hero Doris Miller After Trump**
The US Navy is reportedly in discussions about potentially renaming an upcoming aircraft carrier that honors World War II hero Doris Miller, a black sailor who distinguished himself during the attack on Pearl Harbor. According to a report from CNN, which cited three sources familiar with the matter, the Navy is contemplating the unprecedented move of renaming the USS Doris Miller after former President Donald Trump. This information was further corroborated by CBN News, with two unnamed US officials confirming that deliberations are ongoing.
The USS Doris Miller is set to be the fourth Ford-class aircraft carrier and is expected to be commissioned in the mid-2030s. The decision to name the vessel after Miller was made during Trump's first term in office. Miller, who was an enlisted cook at the time of the Pearl Harbor attack, became renowned for his bravery when he manned a machine gun and shot down at least one Japanese aircraft, despite having no formal training for such a role. His actions earned him the Navy Cross, making him the first black sailor to receive this honor.
In light of the recent discussions, the Navy is reportedly considering renaming a different warship in honor of Miller while also exploring the possibility of posthumously recommending him for the Medal of Honor, the highest military decoration for valor in the United States. Tragically, Miller lost his life in 1943 when the USS Liscome Bay was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine, an incident that resulted in the loss of over 700 crew members and is recognized as the deadliest sinking of a carrier in US Navy history.
During the ongoing conversations about the ship's name, sources indicated that the Navy has ceased referring to the vessel as the USS Doris Miller, instead using its hull number, CVN-81. This shift in terminology suggests a significant change in the Navy's approach to naming conventions, as the practice of naming a carrier after a sitting president is both unprecedented and likely to be controversial.
The discussions come on the heels of a recent executive order from Trump, which directed the Pentagon and the Navy to devise a plan to replace electromagnetic aircraft launch systems on carriers with traditional steam and hydraulic catapults. In this order, the ship was also referred to solely by its hull number, further indicating a departure from its original name.
Trump has expressed a keen interest in naval shipbuilding during his second term, announcing plans in December for a "Golden Fleet" of battleships, which he claimed would be "100 times more powerful" than any previously constructed. Initial plans included the construction of two ships, with aspirations for a fleet of up to 25 vessels.
The ambitious "Golden Fleet" initiative has faced challenges, leading to the dismissal of Navy Secretary John Phelan in April. Phelan was reportedly removed from his position for not delivering a plan to construct the Trump-class battleships within a timeline that was deemed nearly impossible.
As discussions continue regarding the naming of the USS Doris Miller and the implications of such a decision, the Navy faces the challenge of balancing historical recognition with contemporary political considerations. The outcome of these deliberations could have lasting effects on the legacy of both Doris Miller and the Navy's naming conventions moving forward.