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Navy names ship after gay rights advocate Harvey Milk

Associated Press
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FILE - In this April 1977 file photo, San Francisco supervisor Harvey Milk sits in the mayor's office during the signing of the city's gay rights bill in San Francisco. The Navy is naming a ship in honor of the late gay rights leader, who served in the Navy for four years before he began a career in San Francisco city government. Navy Secretary Ray Mabus announced the decision to name the ship, which is one of a new fleet of replenishment oilers that will be built in San Diego. (AP Photo/File) (The Associated Press)

FILE - In this April 1977 file photo, San Francisco supervisor Harvey Milk sits in the mayor's office during the signing of the city's gay rights bill in San Francisco. The Navy is naming a ship in honor of the late gay rights leader, who served in the Navy for four years before he began a career in San Francisco city government. Navy Secretary Ray Mabus announced the decision to name the ship, which is one of a new fleet of replenishment oilers that will be built in San Diego. (AP Photo/File) (The Associated Press)

The Navy is naming a ship in honor of the late gay rights leader Harvey Milk, who served in the Navy for four years before he began a career in San Francisco city government.

Navy Secretary Ray Mabus announced the decision to name the ship, which is one of a new fleet of replenishment oilers that will be built in San Diego.

Milk's career as a Navy officer ended with an "other than honorable" discharge, due to allegations of fraternization with enlisted personnel.

Milk became one of the first openly gay candidates elected to public office. He was serving on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors when a former political colleague assassinated him and Mayor George Moscone at City Hall in 1978.