USNS Harvey Milk Renamed USNS Oscar V. Peterson | Navy Ship Naming Controversy 2025 - video Dailymotion

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USNS Harvey Milk Renamed USNS Oscar V. Peterson | Navy Ship Naming Controversy 2025  https://newsplusglobe.com/  The US Navy has renamed the USNS Harvey Milk to USNS Oscar V. Peterson, honoring a World War II Medal of Honor hero instead of the famed LGBTQ+ activist and Navy veteran. This decision by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has sparked intense debate over military tradition, politics, and representation. Watch to learn about Oscar V. Peterson’s heroic story, the significance of Harvey Milk’s legacy, and the public reactions to this controversial renaming. Share your thoughts and stay updated with News Plus Globe!  Tags:  USNS Harvey Milk, USNS Oscar V. Peterson, Navy ship renaming, Oscar V. Peterson Medal of Honor, Harvey Milk Navy veteran, Pete Hegseth, Navy controversy 2025, military ship naming, LGBTQ+ military history, World War II heroes, naval history, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Navy ship naming debate   Hashtags:  #USNSOscarVPeterson #HarveyMilk #NavyShipRenaming #MilitaryHistory #MedalOfHonor #PeteHegseth #LGBTQMilitary #NavalHistory #MilitaryControversy #ShipNaming #WWIIHero

Transcript

00:00In June 2025 the U.S. Navy made headlines, again. This time it was all about a name.

00:06Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that the USNS Harvey Milk would be renamed the USNS

00:11Oscar V. Peterson, removing the name of the pioneering gay rights activist from the ship.

00:17Hegseth said it was about taking politics out of ship naming and instead honoring a Medal of Honor

00:22recipient. So, who was Oscar Werner Peterson? Born in Prentice, Wisconsin in 1899, Peterson

00:28enlisted in the Navy in 1920. That's more than two decades at sea working his way up to chief

00:34water tender, a critical engineering role, keeping a ship's boilers and steam systems running strong.

00:40Peterson was known for his dedication, leadership, and nerves of steel. Fast forward to World War II.

00:47Peterson is aboard the USS Neosho, an oiler ship supplying the Pacific Fleet. In May 1942,

00:53during the pivotal battle of the Coral Sea, disaster struck. Japanese bombers targeted the

00:59Neosho, unleashing a devastating attack. The ship took heavy damage, fires raged, lives were on the

01:05line. Peterson was hit hard, severely wounded, suffering third-degree burns. But instead of

01:11escaping, he turned toward danger. He managed to close four bulkhead steam line valves, isolating the

01:17ruptured lines, preventing further explosions and ultimately, saving the ship. His actions kept the

01:23Neosho afloat and allowed many crew members to survive. Six days later, Peterson died from his

01:29injuries and was buried at sea. For his selfless courage, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of

01:33Honor. His citation speaks volumes. Extraordinary courage and conspicuous heroism above and beyond the

01:39call of duty, gallantly gave his life in the service of his country. Peterson's legacy is deep.

01:44His name also graced a Navy destroyer escort, the USS Peterson. In 2010, long after his sacrifice,

01:50a formal Medal of Honor ceremony was held for his surviving son. It's a story of valor and self-sacrifice

01:56that echoes through Navy history. But here's where things get complicated. The ship was originally

02:01named for Harvey Milk, a Navy veteran and trailblazing gay rights leader. Milk served his country, was

02:07honorably discharged, and later became a symbol of hope and equality. Naming a Navy ship after him was

02:13meant to send a message of inclusion and progress. Secretary Hegseth argued that naming ships after

02:19political activists was divisive. Supporters of the renaming say honoring military heroism is the

02:24right call. Critics, including lawmakers and LGBTQ plus advocates call it erasure, especially since

02:31this happened during Pride Month. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer blasted the move as disgusting,

02:36blatant discrimination. Nancy Pelosi called it a shameful, vindictive erasure of civil rights history.

02:42There's no easy answer here. This is about more than just a name on a ship. It's about how we choose

02:47to honor our heroes, on the battlefield, and in the fight for equality. Peterson's courage under fire

02:53is undeniable. Milk's legacy as a Navy vet and civil rights leader is still inspiring. The ship,

02:59whatever its name, will keep doing its vital work, supporting the fleet. But the debate continues.

03:05Should these ships reflect only military heroism or also social progress? Who we choose to remember

03:11says a lot about us as a nation. So what do you think? Should ship names stick to battlefield

03:16heroes or honor those who fought for civil rights too? Drop your thoughts in the comments. For more

03:21stories about military history, heroism, and the debates shaping our world, hit subscribe and follow

03:27the channel. Thanks for watching. Remembering Oscar V Peterson, Harvey Milk and all who serve on land at sea

03:33and in the fight for a better nation.

USNS Harvey Milk Renamed USNS Oscar V. Peterson | Navy Ship Naming Controversy 2025

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