Keep CVN-81 named USS Doris Miller
The Issue
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On December 7, 1941, Doris “Dorie” Miller was serving aboard USS West Virginia when Pearl Harbor came under attack. With no formal training on the weapon, Miller manned an anti-aircraft gun and fired at attacking aircraft. His courage under fire made him one of the most recognized American heroes of World War II.
Miller's service was especially significant in an era when the U.S. military was still segregated. He became the first Black recipient of the Navy Cross, and his heroism helped challenge assumptions about the roles and recognition afforded to Black sailors.
In 2020, the Navy announced that the future aircraft carrier CVN-81 would be named USS Doris Miller in his honor. The naming itself made history: Miller became the first enlisted sailor and the first African American to be honored as the namesake of a U.S. aircraft carrier.
That honor has already been bestowed. It should be kept.
Recent reporting indicates that the Navy has considered renaming CVN-81, with the possibility of honoring Miller on another warship instead. There has also been discussion of reviewing Miller's Navy Cross for a possible posthumous upgrade to the Medal of Honor.
We strongly support additional recognition for Dorie Miller, including a Medal of Honor if awarded through the proper process. And if the Navy someday wishes to name another ship for him as well, that would be wonderful.
But another ship should not replace this ship.
CVN-81 is the USS Doris Miller. It is the aircraft carrier the Navy chose to bear his name. Changing that now would diminish an extraordinary honor already given to an extraordinary American.
This is not about political party. It is not about diminishing anyone else who might someday be honored with a ship bearing their name. It is about a simple principle:
Honor earned. Honor kept.
We respectfully call upon the Secretary of the Navy, Navy leadership, the President, Congress, and all other decision-makers involved to preserve the Navy's 2020 naming decision and keep CVN-81 named USS Doris Miller.
Dorie Miller deserves every additional honor our country determines he earned.
Medal of Honor? You bet.
Another ship too? Maybe someday.
Another ship instead? No. This is his ship.
Please sign this petition and stand with us in preserving the honor already bestowed upon Dorie Miller.
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The Issue
Brought to you by NoStolenValor.com
On December 7, 1941, Doris “Dorie” Miller was serving aboard USS West Virginia when Pearl Harbor came under attack. With no formal training on the weapon, Miller manned an anti-aircraft gun and fired at attacking aircraft. His courage under fire made him one of the most recognized American heroes of World War II.
Miller's service was especially significant in an era when the U.S. military was still segregated. He became the first Black recipient of the Navy Cross, and his heroism helped challenge assumptions about the roles and recognition afforded to Black sailors.
In 2020, the Navy announced that the future aircraft carrier CVN-81 would be named USS Doris Miller in his honor. The naming itself made history: Miller became the first enlisted sailor and the first African American to be honored as the namesake of a U.S. aircraft carrier.
That honor has already been bestowed. It should be kept.
Recent reporting indicates that the Navy has considered renaming CVN-81, with the possibility of honoring Miller on another warship instead. There has also been discussion of reviewing Miller's Navy Cross for a possible posthumous upgrade to the Medal of Honor.
We strongly support additional recognition for Dorie Miller, including a Medal of Honor if awarded through the proper process. And if the Navy someday wishes to name another ship for him as well, that would be wonderful.
But another ship should not replace this ship.
CVN-81 is the USS Doris Miller. It is the aircraft carrier the Navy chose to bear his name. Changing that now would diminish an extraordinary honor already given to an extraordinary American.
This is not about political party. It is not about diminishing anyone else who might someday be honored with a ship bearing their name. It is about a simple principle:
Honor earned. Honor kept.
We respectfully call upon the Secretary of the Navy, Navy leadership, the President, Congress, and all other decision-makers involved to preserve the Navy's 2020 naming decision and keep CVN-81 named USS Doris Miller.
Dorie Miller deserves every additional honor our country determines he earned.
Medal of Honor? You bet.
Another ship too? Maybe someday.
Another ship instead? No. This is his ship.
Please sign this petition and stand with us in preserving the honor already bestowed upon Dorie Miller.
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Petition created on August 25, 2026