Harvey Milk’s name returned to headlines after the defense secretary ordered the name of the slain gay rights advocate, who served in the Navy, removed from a naval ship. But Milk’s legacy ...

Milk was assassinated in November 1978, just 11 months into his term, aged 48. In recognition of his legacy, the U.S. Navy named a ship—the USNS Harvey Milk—in his honor in 2016.

The USNS Harvey Milk, a fleet replenishment oiler ship named after the first openly gay elected official, is seen in the background of this Nov. 6, 2021, photo in San Diego.