Keep Thurgood Marshall, Tubman Navy ship names

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In 2023, the Navy named a ship after Harriet Tubman and last December, it laid the keel for a ship to bear Thurgood Marshall‘s name. These individuals are not only national icons but are deeply woven into the fabric of Maryland’s heritage. But now comes news that the Defense Department is considering changing the ships’ names, along with other vessels named for prominent Americans because, the administration claims, their names do not reflect a warrior ethos. We urge the Navy not to withdraw these honors.

Marshall was born and spent much of his childhood in Baltimore. After law school, he joined the Maryland bar and practiced law here. His contributions to making Maryland a better place include winning the landmark case that resulted in the first African American being admitted to the University of Maryland Law School.

He argued and won many cases before the United States Supreme Court, including Brown v. Board of Education, a case every schoolchild both knows and benefits from. And of course, he later served for many years on the Supreme Court itself. Marylanders can be proud of the ways Marshall improved American law generally and civil rights law in particular.

Maryland has rightfully honored Marshall in many ways. His name graces an important airport, the State Law Library, and the University of Maryland’s law library — an institution he desegregated. But it would be a slap in the face, not only to Marshall but to Maryland to remove his name from the ship. Marshall never served in the Navy but his work profoundly impacted the military. His involvement in the Port Chicago Mutiny Trial played a pivotal role in advancing the military’s desegregation.

Harriet Tubman was similarly a transformational citizen of Maryland. While best known for her historic work on the Underground Railroad, Tubman also served in the military during the Civil War, as a nurse and scout. For example, Tubman led a scouting party of eight men, which obtained key intelligence, enabling US forces to capture Jacksonville, Florida. On June 2, 1863, Tubman, alongside Colonel James Montgomery, led a raiding party up the Combahee River, deep into Confederate Territory and targeting the South’s economic strongholds. The raiders freed nearly 800 men, women, and children, one of the largest groups of people ever emancipated at one time, and burned wealthy plantations.

Harriet Tubman’s legacy is one of courage and leadership and an unrelenting fight for justice.  Her legacy was recently acknowledged when, on Veteran’s Day in 2024 Governor Wes Moore promoted her to the rank of Brigadier General in the Maryland National Guard.

According to CBS News, consideration of these and other name changes is driven by a desire to make sure that ships’ names are “reflective of the Commander-in-Chief’s priorities, our nation’s history, and the warrior ethos.” Marshall and Tubman were crucial contributors to our nation’s history and few embody the warrior ethos more than they did, by standing up for millions of Americans. If honoring Marshall and Tubman is not reflective of the Commander-in-Chief’s priorities, it should be.

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS

James B. Astrachan, Chair

James K. Archibald

Gary E. Bair

Arthur F. Fergenson

Nancy Forster

Susan Francis

Julie C. Janofsky

Ericka N. King

George Nilson

Catherine Curran O’Malley

Angela W. Russell

Debra G. Schubert

Jeff Sovern

H. Mark Stichel

The Daily Record Editorial Advisory Board is composed of members of the legal profession who serve voluntarily and are independent of The Daily Record. Through their ongoing exchange of views, members of the board attempt to develop consensus on issues of importance to the bench, bar and public. When their minds meet, unsigned opinions will result. When they differ, or if a conflict exists, majority views and the names of members who do not participate will appear. Members of the community are invited to contribute letters to the editor and/or columns about opinions expressed by the Editorial Advisory Board.