Summary and Key Points: The Navy’s Ford-class naming decisions are fueling fresh speculation about which leaders are “next in line.” After the announcement that future carriers CVN-82 and CVN-83 will honor Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, attention shifts to how the Navy balances presidential names with legacy choices like Enterprise (CVN-80) and Doris Miller (CVN-81). Using that mix as a guide, the next three hulls are framed as potential presidential tributes—Barack Obama, Donald Trump, and Joe Biden—while the piece also notes that Jimmy Carter is already honored with the USS Jimmy Carter (SSN-23).
USS Gerald R. Ford Aircraft Carrier. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
Next Ford-Class Aircraft Carrier Names: Obama, Trump, Biden? Here’s the Logic
In January of last year, President Biden announced in a White House statement that the next two Ford-class aircraft carriers would be named after former presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush.
Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro selected the names for the two carriers, as naming falls under the Secretary of the Navy’s duties; however, then-President Biden announced the news and called the two former presidents.
Following the naming convention of aligning former presidents, it would seem that the next three Ford-class aircraft carriers would be named USS Barack Obama (CVN-84), USS Donald Trump (CVN-85), and USS Joe Biden (CVN-86).
Presidents Clinton and Bush Humbled By The News
“When I personally delivered the news to Bill and George, they were deeply humbled. Each knows firsthand the weight of the responsibilities that come with being Commander-in-Chief,” Biden said in the White House announcement.
ATLANTIC OCEAN (Sept. 21, 2024) The world’s largest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), sails in formation with the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) Kashima-class training ship, JS Kashima (TV-3508), middle, and Hatakaze-class guided missile destroyer JS Shimakaze (TV-3521) while conducting routine operations in the Atlantic Ocean, September 23, 2024. The U.S. Navy and JMSDF continue to train together to improve interoperability and strengthen joint capabilities. For more than 60 years, the U.S.-Japan Alliance has been the corner stone of stability and security and is crucial to the mutual capability of responding to contingencies at a moment’s notice. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jacob Mattingly)
USS Gerald R. Ford Aircraft Carrier At Sea. Image Credit: U.S. Navy.
“And both know well our duty to support the families and loved ones who wait and worry for the safe return of their servicemember.”
The future USS William J. Clinton (CVN-82) and USS George W. Bush (CVN-83) are not yet under construction but will be budgeted at some point.
“The future USS William J. Clinton and the future USS George W. Bush will serve as lasting tributes to each leader’s legacy in service of the United States,” then-Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said in a press release.
“Like their namesakes, these two future carriers, and the crews who sail them, will work to safeguard our national security, remind us of our history, and inspire others to serve our great republic.”
Two Aircraft Carriers Under Construction, Not Named After Presidents
The US Navy’s naming for the Ford-class supercarriers began with the use of the name of Gerald R. Ford, the 38th president of the United States, who served from 1974-77 for the first-in-class CVN 78, and followed by John F Kennedy, the 35th president, who served from 1961-63 until being assassinated, for CVN-79.
However, the two selected names were not former U.S. presidents; CVN 80 and CVN 81 were commissioned as USS Enterprise and USS Doris Miller, respectively.
The Navy Continues To Honor The Enterprise Name
The U.S. Navy continues to use the name Enterprise to honor a 250-year tradition of courage and to honor the “Big E” (CV-6) from WWII, the most decorated ship in U.S. history. With nine vessels holding the name since 1775, it signifies a legacy of initiative, endurance, and, significantly, the Navy’s first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.
The name Enterprise dates back to the Revolutionary War (1775) when Col. Benedict Arnold captured a British sloop and renamed it Enterprise. The USS Enterprise (CV-6) was a critical, highly decorated aircraft carrier in WWII, surviving the war despite being reported sunk multiple times.
The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81) sails alongside the world’s largest aircraft carrier the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), Sep. 24, 2025. Winston S. Churchill, as part of Carrier Strike Group 12, is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operation to support the warfighting effectiveness, lethality and readiness of U.S. Naval Forces, Europe-Africa, and defend U.S. Allied and partner interest in the region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Hector Rodriguez)
(April 14, 2017) The aircraft carrier Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) pulls into Naval Station Norfolk for the first time. The first-of-class ship – the first new U.S. aircraft carrier design in 40 years – spent several days conducting builder’s sea trails, a comprehensive test of many of the ship’s key systems and technologies. (U.S. Navy photo by Matt Hildreth courtesy of Huntington Ingalls Industries/Released)
The name represents the spirit of bold action, enterprise, and ingenuity, often given to revolutionary vessels, including the first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier (CVN-65). The Navy frequently reuses names of honored, historic vessels to maintain a sense of tradition and pride within the fleet.
The tradition continues with the upcoming Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carrier, USS Enterprise (CVN-80).
USS Doris Miller (CVN-81)
The U.S. Navy named the Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carrier USS Doris Miller (CVN 81) to honor Doris “Dorie” Miller, a Black Mess Attendant Second Class who displayed immense valor during the 1941 Pearl Harbor attack. He was the first African American to receive the Navy Cross.
During the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Miller was aboard the USS West Virginia and manned a .50-caliber anti-aircraft machine gun—despite having no training—to shoot at Japanese aircraft, and helped move his mortally wounded captain and other sailors to safety.
As a Black sailor in a segregated military, his actions helped challenge racial barriers and led to changes in the Navy’s policies.
The world’s largest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), conducts flight operations in the North Sea, Aug. 23, 2025. Gerald R. Ford, a first-in-class aircraft carrier and deployed flagship of Carrier Strike Group Twelve, is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations to support the warfighting effectiveness, lethality, and readiness of U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, and defend U.S., Allied and partner interests in the region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Maxwell Orlosky)
Miller was the first enlisted sailor to have a modern aircraft carrier named after them, emphasizing the valor of the sailors who form the backbone of the Navy.
Miller continued to serve after Pearl Harbor and was killed in action in 1943 aboard the USS Liscome Bay (CVE-56) when a torpedo hit the ship and sank off Butaritari Atoll in the Gilbert Islands.
The naming was announced in January 2020 by Acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly to honor Miller’s courage and to recognize his contribution to the fight for equality within the service.
Jimmy Carter Has A Submarine Named After Him
Among contemporary US presidents with carriers named after them, only Presidents Obama, Biden, Trump, and Carter do not have carrier namesakes.
However, President Carter, a Navy submariner, has a Seawolf-class submarine named after him. The USS Jimmy Carter (SSN-23) is a unique Seawolf-class nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine, commonly referred to as a spy submarine due to its specialized modifications.
The world’s largest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), sails in the Atlantic Ocean, July 4, 2025. Gerald R. Ford, a first-in-class aircraft carrier and deployed flagship of Carrier Strike Group Twelve, incorporates modern technology, innovative shipbuilding designs, and best practices from legacy aircraft
carriers to increase the U.S. Navy’s capacity to underpin American security and economic prosperity, deter adversaries, and project power on a global scale through sustained operations at sea. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Tajh Payne)
This Seawolf-class boat is no ordinary submarine. It races beneath the surface with unmatched speed, stealth, and weaponry, even compared to more modern boats. It is also the most expensive SSN submarine the US Navy has ever built, costing over $3.5 billion. And it is worth every cent.
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Among the most common names used for US warships is “Wasp,” which has been used nine times and is currently the lead ship of the Wasp-class amphibious assault ships.
About the Author: Steve Balestrieri
Steve Balestrieri is a National Security Columnist. He served as a US Army Special Forces NCO and Warrant Officer. In addition to writing on defense, he covers the NFL for PatsFans.com and is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA). His work was regularly featured in many military publications.
DDG
February 18, 2026 at 5:25 pm
If they’re going to name aircraft carrier CVN-85 after a sex offender, abjudicated rapist, and (alleged) child rapist, they might as well name it the USS Jeffrey Epstein.