CVN-81.COMPRESERVE THE NAMECVN-81.COMPRESERVE THE NAMEFollow the story, construction and legacy of the fourth Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carrier.
AI-generated imagery is used to visualize the future USS Doris Miller (CVN-81) at sea.
The future USS Doris Miller (CVN-81) is the fourth ship of the Gerald R. Ford class. The Navy announced the name in January 2020, honoring the Pearl Harbor hero whose courage earned the Navy Cross.
Work on Doris Miller is underway at HII's Newport News Shipbuilding division. Early manufacturing began years before keel laying, with structural fabrication and outfitting progressing toward the ship's next major milestone.
Follow the TimelineHII continues to identify Doris Miller among the Gerald R. Ford-class carriers in production. Recent program material places keel laying in fiscal year 2026.
Milestone dates can change. CVN-81.com distinguishes official completed events from scheduled or reported future dates.
Serving aboard USS West Virginia during the attack on Pearl Harbor, Miller helped wounded shipmates and manned an anti-aircraft weapon despite having no formal training on it. He became the first Black American awarded the Navy Cross.
Read His StoryCVN-81.com documents the ship. NoStolenValor.com is the separate advocacy project supporting preservation of the Navy's 2020 naming decision.
Visit NoStolenValor.comWhy the ship's announced name is now the subject of national attention.
Understand the controversy →