Navy considers scrapping plan to name carrier after Black hero so it can be named for Trump

The U.S. Navy is considering changing the name of a new aircraft carrier that had been designated to honor Doris Miller, a Black sailor celebrated for his actions during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor during World War II, according to a new report.

Three people familiar with the matter told CNN that Navy officials are now working on a plan to change the carrier's name.

Two sources said the possibility of naming the vessel after Trump has been raised within the Pentagon.

Such a decision would be without precedent: no U.S. aircraft carrier has ever been named after a sitting president.

Under the reported proposal, Miller's name could instead be assigned to another Navy ship.

At the same time, the service is said to be backing an attempt to posthumously award Miller the Medal of Honor. Congress would need to authorize the award.

The Independent has contacted the Navy for comment.

Miller, who was serving as a mess attendant when Japan attacked the U.S. naval base in Hawaii in December 1941, helped carry injured crew members to safety before taking up a machine gun to fire at Japanese aircraft — despite having received no formal weapons training.