Fri Jun 27 12:30:00 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and a news article rewrite based on the provided text:

**Summary:**

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is renaming the USNS Harvey Milk, a naval ship originally named after gay rights pioneer Harvey Milk, to the USNS Oscar V. Peterson, in an effort to remove “politics” and “wokeness” from the military. Peterson was a Medal of Honor recipient for his heroic actions in WWII. The decision has sparked outrage from Democrats like Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi, who view it as a discriminatory erasure of Milk’s legacy and a rejection of progress.

**News Article:**

**Controversy Erupts as Naval Ship Named for Harvey Milk to be Renamed After WWII Hero**

**LONDON, UK -** Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has announced the USNS Harvey Milk, a fleet replenishment oiler named after the pioneering LGBTQ+ rights activist and California’s first openly gay politician, will be renamed the USNS Oscar V. Peterson.

Hegseth justified the decision by stating his commitment to removing “politics” from the military and restoring a “warrior ethos,” framing the change as a move to honor a Congressional Medal of Honor recipient. Oscar V. Peterson was awarded the medal posthumously for his extraordinary courage during the Battle of the Coral Sea in World War II, where he died saving his fellow sailors.

The USNS Harvey Milk was originally named in 2016 under the Obama Administration to honor Milk’s legacy as a civil rights leader and his service in the Navy during the Korean War. Milk was forced out of the Navy due to his sexuality before embarking on a career in politics, fighting for gay rights.

The move has drawn sharp criticism from Democratic leaders. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called the renaming “disgusting, blatant discrimination” and criticized the timing during Pride Month. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi condemned the decision as a “shameful, vindictive erasure” of those who broke down barriers.

Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell stated that Secretary Hegseth is committed to ensuring that the names attached to all DOD installations and assets are reflective of the Commander-in-Chief’s priorities, our nation’s history, and the warrior ethos.

The debate highlights the ongoing tension over LGBTQ+ representation and recognition within the U.S. military and the broader culture war surrounding social issues.

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