SCHNEIDER, BELL, TOGETHER WITH 70+ DEMOCRATIC COLLEAGUES, URGE DEFENSE SECRETARY HEGESETH AND ACTING SECRETARY OF THE NAVY HUNG CAO TO PROTECT LEGACY OF THE FUTURE USS DORIS MILLER
LINCOLNSHIRE, IL – Today, Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10) and Congressman Wesley Bell (MO-1), joined by 70+ Democratic colleagues, urged Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao to reject any effort to rename the future USS Doris Miller (CVN-81) after reports that the Navy is considering naming the carrier after President Trump.
The future USS Doris Miller will be the first aircraft carrier named for an African American and the first named in honor of an enlisted sailor. Doris “Dorie” Miller remains one of the most celebrated enlisted sailors in American military history for his bravery and courage during the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. The potential move to name the carrier after a sitting president would break with longstanding Navy tradition and diminish the recognition of Miller’s extraordinary acts of bravery and his service to our nation.
As home to Naval Station Great Lakes, naval tradition and history run deep throughout Illinois’ 10th District. Every enlisted sailor in the Navy begins their journey at Great Lakes, completing basic training before going on to serve our nation. The 10th District has long been proud to play a role in preparing these sailors for service, and we must continue to honor the legacy of those who have helped shape the Navy and our nation.
“A strong Navy is built on the courage and valor of its sailors, both in times of conflict and peace,” said Schneider. “Doris Miller’s extraordinary service, unwavering loyalty to his fellow sailors, and devotion to his country are a source of pride for all Americans. Honoring his legacy is the right thing to do and an opportunity to inspire future generations. Doris Miller should not be robbed of this rightful honor and am proud to join my colleagues in this effort to urge Secretary Hegseth and Acting Secretary Cao to recognize Miller’s heroism and reject another Trump vanity project.”
“The decision to name CVN-81 for Doris Miller recognized not only one extraordinary sailor, but generations of enlisted servicemembers whose courage and contributions have too often gone unnoticed and unrecognized,” the members wrote.
“We urge you to reject this plan and ensure that CVN-81 bears the name USS Doris Miller, the members concluded. “Our Navy must continue honoring the courage of those that answered their country’s call to service.”
View the full text of the letter here and below:
Dear Secretary Hegseth and Acting Secretary Cao:
We write regarding the recent reporting that the Department of the Navy is considering renaming the USS Doris Miller potentially in honor of President Trump.1 Renaming this ship after a sitting President would be unprecedented and break longstanding tradition. Most importantly, this would diminish the recognition of one of our country’s greatest military heroes. It was during President Trump’s first term that the Navy announced CVN-81 would bear Doris Miller’s name. Reversing that decision now would be a significant step backward in honoring the courage and sacrifice of those who have served our country.
The future USS Doris Miller will be the first aircraft carrier to be named for an African American and the first named in honor of an enlisted sailor. Those distinctions reflect the bravery and courage during the attack on Pearl Harbor by Doris ‘Dorie’ Miller, who was later awarded the Navy Cross, the Navy’s second-highest honor.
On December 7, 1941, Miller was serving aboard the USS West Virginia when Japan’s attack began. At the time, Miller was a Mess Attendant Third Class, and after his station came under fire, despite lacking proper training, he took control of an anti-aircraft gun and fired at incoming aircraft. Even when the ship began to sink, it was only when he ran out of ammunition did he abandon his position. But in the process, he still managed to assist his fellow wounded sailors and help them reach safety. Doris Miller’s story is one of extraordinary bravery, service, and pure patriotism. When he served, segregation restricted the roles available to Black sailors and servicemembers. Yet, when his country came under attack, Miller did not hesitate for one second to put himself in harms’ way to defend his fellow sailors and his nation. This story embodies the finest traditions of the United States Armed Forces.
Black Americans have served in every major American conflict, often defending a country that did not provide or even recognize their equal rights while home. Their service and sacrifice are an integral part of our country’s military history. The decision to name CVN-81 for Doris Miller recognized not only one extraordinary sailor, but generations of enlisted servicemembers whose courage and contributions have too often gone unnoticed and unrecognized.
In 2020, then-Acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas Modly announced the decision to honor Doris Miller by placing his name on CVN-81, the newest and most powerful warship. It was Acting-Secretary Modly who said that the decision honored “the contributions of all our enlisted ranks, past and present, men and women, of every race, religion, and background.”
Our aircraft carriers are among the most visible symbols of American military power. They are stationed all over the world, projecting strength, protecting our national security, and reminding our allies that we will have their backs at their time of need. The names these ships carry should preserve the legacies of Americans whose service, sacrifice, and leadership represent the very best of our democracy and our Armed Services.
There is no question that Dorie Miller meets that standard. His story deserves to be remembered aboard one of the most powerful warships ever constructed. There has never been a time when we have named a warship after a sitting president. Changing course now to satisfy a sitting President’s ego, especially one who dodged military service to his country, would be shamefully wrong.
We urge you to reject this plan and ensure that CVN-81 bears the name USS Doris Miller. Our Navy must continue honoring the courage of those that answered their country’s call to service.
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