Navy officials are reportedly considering a significant shift in naming conventions, weighing whether to remove the name of World War II hero Doris "Dorie" Miller from a new aircraft carrier and potentially rename the vessel for former President Donald Trump. This would mark the first time a Navy ship has been named for a sitting president.

The discussions regarding the potential renaming of the Ford-class aircraft carrier have been ongoing for much of the summer, according to three sources familiar with the matter. The ship, currently under construction in Virginia, was officially christened as the USS Doris Miller during the Trump administration. The announcement came on Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 2020, recognizing Miller's extraordinary valor during the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Doris Miller, a cook aboard the USS West Virginia, distinguished himself during the December 7, 1941, attack. Despite lacking formal weapons training, he bravely assisted in moving his mortally wounded captain to safety and then manned an anti-aircraft gun, successfully downing at least one Japanese aircraft. This feat was particularly remarkable given the intense enemy assault and the limited number of Japanese planes downed during the offensive. For his actions, Miller was awarded the Navy Cross, the service's second-highest combat decoration.

The potential renaming carries significant historical and symbolic weight. Doris Miller was one of the most celebrated Black service members of World War II, and his recognition came at a time when the U.S. military was still segregated, and Black soldiers often faced systemic challenges in receiving due recognition for their service. The USS Doris Miller would have been the first aircraft carrier named for a Black American and the first to honor an enlisted service member, highlighting a crucial aspect of naval history.

Miller's distinguished service ended in November 1943 when the USS Liscome Bay, on which he was serving, was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine during the Battle of Makin, resulting in the loss of 700 sailors. The USS Doris Miller would have been the second Navy vessel to bear his name; a destroyer named in his honor was in service from 1972 to 1991.

CNN first reported on the Navy's consideration of changing the carrier's name. When reached for comment, the White House directed inquiries to the Pentagon. The Pentagon has not yet responded to requests for comment. A spokesperson for the Navy stated that the service has no announcements to make at this time regarding the carrier's name.

Past naval naming conventions have often honored prominent historical figures, naval heroes, and presidents. Naming a carrier for a living former president would represent a departure from recent traditions, which typically reserve such honors for deceased individuals or those with significant historical military contributions.

The decision, if it proceeds, could spark considerable debate among historians, veterans' groups, and the public, given Miller's pivotal role in naval history and the symbolic importance of the USS Doris Miller as a tribute to an underrepresented hero. Unresolved questions remain regarding the specific impetus for these discussions and the timeline for any potential decision.