The USNS Harvey Milk conducts a replenishment at sea in the Atlantic Ocean on Dec. 13, 2024. (Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Maxwell Orlosky/U.S. Navy via AP) ...

The USNS Harvey Milk is part of a fleet of replenishment oilers named after civil rights advocates including Chief Justice Earl Warren and US Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy.

The USNS Harvey Milk was named in 2016 by then-Navy Secretary Ray Mabus, who said at the time that the John Lewis-class of oilers would be named after leaders who fought for civil and human rights.

The USNS Harvey Milk was christened in 2021 during President Joe Biden's term. In Friday's social media video, Hegseth said that the ship's name change was made in line with "taking the politics ...

The ship was christened in 2021. Operated by Military Sealift Command with a civilian crew of 125, the USNS Harvey Milk conducted its first at-sea resupply mission in fall 2024.

The USNS Harvey Milk was originally named in 2016 by then-Navy Secretary Ray Mabus, who said the John Lewis-class oilers would honor leaders in civil and human rights.