A new Ford-class aircraft carrier originally slated to bear the name of Black Pearl Harbor hero Doris “Dorie” Miller could instead be named in honor of President Donald Trump, according to a new report.
The Navy announced during Trump’s first term that the aircraft carrier would be named the USS Doris Miller, honoring the enlisted sailor who helped defend American forces during Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.
But two anonymous sources told CNN that those plans have now been scrapped and Navy officials are considering naming the newly constructed carrier after Trump instead.
“The effort to rename the USS Doris Miller has been underway since earlier this year,” the sources told the network.
The potential change does not mean Miller would be left without a Navy vessel bearing his name, according to the report.
The Navy is reportedly considering naming another warship after Miller and recommending the Pearl Harbor hero for the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military decoration for valor.
Final authorization for Miller to receive the Medal of Honor would require action from Congress and approval from Trump, according to CNN.
Naming an aircraft carrier after a sitting president would be “an unprecedented move,” the report said.
Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao has also reportedly been examining ways to update official Navy guidance governing how ships are named and who can be honored through those names.
According to CNN, that research includes potentially specifying that presidents can be among those for whom ships are named.
Miller, who was from Waco, Texas, was serving as a Mess Attendant Third Class when Japanese forces launched their attack on Pearl Harbor.
Instead of carrying out his scheduled duty of retrieving laundry that day, Miller rushed to assist his wounded commanding officer.
He then took control of an anti-aircraft gun and opened fire on attacking Japanese aircraft despite having received no training on the weapon system, according to the report.
Miller’s great-nephew told CNN that his family had not been notified about the reported effort to change the aircraft carrier’s name.
However, he described the possibility of Miller receiving the Medal of Honor as “very positive.”
The reported deliberations come as the Navy considers both how to honor Miller and whether Trump could ultimately become the namesake of the new Ford-class carrier.
No final announcement has been made.
A Defense Department spokesperson told CNN that officials had “nothing to announce at this time.”
For now, the reported proposal remains under consideration, with the Navy potentially shifting Miller’s name to another warship while pursuing the military’s highest valor award for the Pearl Harbor hero.
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