By Natasha Bertrand, CNN

(CNN) — Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has ordered the secretary of the Navy to rename the oiler ship USNS Harvey Milk, according to a defense official.

The ship, which was launched in 2021 and named after the gay rights activist and Navy veteran, who was made to resign from the force because of his sexual orientation, is set to be officially renamed later this month, the official said. It is not clear what the new name will be, but the timing is notable given that June is Pride Month.

Military.com first reported the expected name change.

The Office of the Secretary of Defense did not respond to a request for comment.

It is rare for a ship to be renamed, and it has not happened on the orders of a defense secretary in recent memory.

The last time a s

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