Doug Jones Calls on Tuberville to Stop Effort to Erase Doris Miller’s Historic Honor

Birmingham, AL — Doug Jones today called on Senator Tommy Tuberville to stand up to the Trump administration and stop reported plans to strip the name of World War II hero Doris “Dorie” Miller from the aircraft carrier being built in his honor and potentially rename the ship for President Donald Trump.

“This anti-woke, anti-DEI obsession has gone way too far when we start erasing Black Americans who put their lives on the line for this country,” Jones said. “Doris Miller was a hero. He served in a segregated Navy that wouldn't even allow Black sailors like him to serve in combat roles. But when Pearl Harbor came under attack, he didn't hesitate. He helped his wounded shipmates and manned an anti-aircraft gun he had never been trained to use. That is courage. That is patriotism.”

Miller became the first Black American awarded the Navy Cross. He was killed in action less than two years later at age 24.

In 2020, during Trump’s first term, the Navy announced that CVN-81 would bear Miller’s name, making the future USS Doris Miller the first aircraft carrier named for a Black Serviceman and the first named for an enlisted sailor. President Trump publicly praised the decision at the time.

“Doris Miller’s heroism hasn’t changed. His sacrifice hasn’t changed,” Jones said. “What has changed is an administration so consumed with attacking anything it labels ‘DEI’ or ‘woke’ that apparently even the heroic service of Black Americans is now fair game.”

Tuberville serves on the Senate Armed Services Committee, which oversees the Navy.

“Tommy Tuberville likes to talk about supporting our military. Here’s your chance to prove it,” Jones said. “You sit on the Senate Armed Services Committee. Stand up and do something. Tell the Trump administration to leave Doris Miller’s name on that ship, and if they won’t, work with your colleagues in Congress to stop the name change.”

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