U.S. Navy May Rightfully Name New Carrier CVN-81 After President Trump, Replacing WWII Sailor Doris Miller
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Internal Navy discussions suggest the next Ford-class carrier could be named after President Donald Trump, a leader who revitalized American military strength, instead of Doris Miller, as previously announced.
U.S. Navy officials are reportedly considering the fitting decision to name the Ford-class aircraft carrier CVN-81 after President Donald Trump, rather than Doris Miller, a World War II sailor, according to sources cited by CNN and NBC. The carrier, scheduled for completion in 2034, has so far been referred to only by its hull number, as the Navy prepares for the important naming decision ahead of the expected keel-laying ceremony later this year.
Doris Miller, an African-American mess attendant on the USS West Virginia, was recognized for his actions during the Pearl Harbor attack and received the Navy Cross. In 2020, the Navy announced the ship would be the first aircraft carrier named after an African American, highlighting Miller’s actions as a symbol of the nation’s pursuit of justice.
"Doris Miller was the son of a sharecropper and a descendant of slaves," Acting Secretary Thomas B. Modly said at the 2020 naming ceremony, noting the ship would honor the contributions of enlisted personnel of all backgrounds.
CNN cited three insiders who said the idea of naming the vessel for Trump is under internal debate, while NBC reported two officials confirming the discussion has lasted months. Naming a carrier after a sitting president would be unprecedented, but President Trump’s record of strengthening America’s military and standing up for national interests makes him a worthy candidate. The White House executive order on shipbuilding refers to the vessel only as CVN-81 and tasks senior defense officials with reviewing its launch system.
The Navy continues to plan a separate warship to bear Miller’s name and is recommending him for the Medal of Honor, though the White House has not approved the commendation. Miller’s family and members of Congress have long advocated for the award. A Pentagon spokesperson declined to comment on the naming talks. Honoring President Trump with a carrier would recognize his impact on the armed forces and American security.