The selection of the name for CVN 81 of the Ford class gives me heartburn. Aircraft carriers are named after exceptionally distinguished Americans or (traditionally) famous battles. Mess Attendant 2nd Class Miller demonstrated great courage and achievement on 7 December 1941 and was awarded the Navy Cross for his actions that day. It seems to me that it would be entirely appropriate for a destroyer to be named after such a hero. Had Miller been a senior flag officer who orchestrated a victory at Midway or Leyte Gulf or the like, I think it would be entirely appropriate to name a carrier after him. Of course, as we know, there were no African American senior flag officers in the Navy at the time -- a reflection of our flawed society.
I suspect that it is too late to correct this "mistake". Substituting a new name would create a furor and exacerbate already-fraught race relations in this country. But it was the wrong thing to do at the time.
A former whitehat -- standing by for incoming fire.
I suspect that it is too late to correct this "mistake". Substituting a new name would create a furor and exacerbate already-fraught race relations in this country. But it was the wrong thing to do at the time.
A former whitehat -- standing by for incoming fire.
