Title page
Contents
Summary 2
Background 5
Navy's Authority and Process for Naming Ships 5
Authority for Naming Ships 5
Process for Selecting Names 5
July 2012 Navy Report to Congress 7
Overview of Naming Rules for Ship Types 7
Rules for Ship Types Now Being Procured or Recently Procured 9
Ballistic Missile Submarines (SSBNs) 9
Attack Submarines (SSNs) 10
Aircraft Carriers (CVNs) 12
Destroyers (DDGs) 14
Frigates (FFGs) 16
Littoral Combat Ships (LCSs) 17
Amphibious Assault Ships (LHAs) 18
Amphibious Ships (LPDs) 18
Oilers (TAOs) 19
Dry Cargo and Ammunition Ships (TAKEs) 19
Expeditionary Fast Transports (EPFs) 20
Expeditionary Medical Ships (EMSs) 20
Expeditionary Transport Docks (ESDs) and Expeditionary Sea Bases (ESBs) 20
Towing, Salvage, and Rescue Ships (TATSs) 21
Aspects of Navy Ship Names 21
Two State Names Not Currently Being Used, Particularly Kansas 21
Ships Named for Living Persons 23
Ships Named for the Confederacy or Confederate Officers 26
Ships Named Several Years Before They Were Procured 32
Changes to Names of Navy Ships 34
Public's Role in Naming Ships 35
Congress's Role in Naming Ships 36
Overview of Congressional Influence on Navy Ship-Naming Decisions 36
Congressional Responses to Announced Navy Ship-Naming Decisions 38
USS Portland (LPD-27) 39
Legislation on Future Navy Ship-Naming Decisions 41
Legislative Activity in 2023 43
FY2024 National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 2670/S. 2226) 43
House 43
Conference 43
Appendix A. Navy's Process for Naming Ships 44
Appendix B. Executive Summary of July 2012 Navy Report to Congress 46
Appendix C. Ships Named for the Confederacy or Confederate Officers 47
Appendix D. Ex-U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Formerly Named Taney 54
Author Information 55
Disclaimer 55
Table 1. Ships Since 1973 Named for Persons Who Were Living at the Time 24
Table 2. Navy Ships Included in Naming Commission's DOD Inventory 27
Table 3. Recent Enacted Legislative Provisions 41
Table 4. Examples of Proposed Bills and Amendments 42