Hegseth renames Navy tanker to honor war hero

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth just dropped a bombshell by renaming a Navy oil tanker from honoring a political activist to commemorating a true American hero.

In a decisive move, Hegseth announced the rechristening of a fleet replenishment oiler, previously named after Harvey Milk, to now bear the name of Medal of Honor recipient Oscar V. Peterson, as part of a broader effort to strip political agendas from military traditions.

Let’s rewind to 2016, when under a previous administration, the tanker was named after Harvey Milk, California’s first openly gay politician who served in the Navy during the Korean War.

Tracing the History of Harvey Milk

Milk’s Navy career ended due to his sexuality, a tragic reflection of the era’s policies, and his life was later cut short when he was assassinated inside San Francisco City Hall by a former supervisor, Dan White.

While Milk’s story carries weight for many, Hegseth’s decision signals a pivot away from what some see as ideologically driven naming choices.

“We are taking the politics out of ship naming,” Hegseth declared on X, cutting straight to the heart of a debate that’s been simmering for years.

Oscar Peterson’s Heroic Legacy Unveiled

Now, enter Oscar V. Peterson, a Navy veteran of 20 years who ran the steam engine on the U.S.S. Neosho during World War II and paid the ultimate price for his courage.

On May 7, 1942, during the Battle of the Coral Sea, the Neosho took heavy fire from Japanese forces in the Philippines, leaving Peterson and his repair party severely injured.

Despite sustaining third-degree burns, Peterson heroically closed four bulkhead steam valves, an act of self-sacrifice that kept the ship afloat long enough for others to survive.

Peterson’s Sacrifice and Lasting Impact

Four days later, on May 11, 1942, the U.S.S. Henley rescued 123 survivors from the battered Neosho, but Peterson’s wounds proved fatal.

He passed away on May 13, 1942, earning the Medal of Honor posthumously for his bravery—a legacy that Hegseth believes better embodies the valor sailors should salute.

“People want to be proud of the ship they’re sailing in,” Hegseth noted, and it’s hard to argue that Peterson’s story doesn’t inspire exactly that kind of pride.

Policy Shift Sparks Heated Debate

This renaming isn’t just a one-off; it’s part of Hegseth’s larger mission to dismantle what he views as “woke” policies and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives within the Department of Defense.

Not everyone’s on board, with Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., blasting the move as “shameful, vindictive erasure of those who fought to break down barriers for all to chase the American Dream.” Well, with all due respect, perhaps the Navy’s focus should be on honoring battlefield heroes over social crusades.

Pelosi added in a statement, “As the rest of us are celebrating the joy of Pride Month, it is my hope that the Navy will reconsider this egregious decision.” While her passion is clear, one might wonder if ships should symbolize military sacrifice over cultural milestones—turns out, priorities matter.