Former USS Indianapolis crew member Doris (Dorie) Miller, became a legend among African-Americans when he was formally recognized for his heroism on USS West Virginia during the attack on Pearl Harbor. Six days after Pearl Harbor was bombed and his ship was sunk, Miller was reassigned to USS Indianapolis as a Mess Attendant First Class on December 13, 1941.
In late December, the Navy released a list of commendations for actions taken during the December 7th attack. Among the names on the list was the notation for an unnamed black man. It wasn't until three months later on March 12, 1942, when an Associated Press story, crediting the Pittsburgh Courier, an influential African-American newspaper, reported Dorie Miller to be the previously unnamed messman.
He was serving aboard USS Indianapolis at the time members of the United States Senate and House of Representatives introduced two bills - S.Res. 2392 and H.R. 6800 - to award the Medal of Honor to Dorie Miller, recognizing him as one of the "first heroes of World War II". On May 27, 1942, Miller received the Navy Cross from Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, Commander in Chief of the Pacific Fleet.
He remained attached to Indy until he transferred in November 1942 to represent the Navy on war bond tour. He later transferred to the newly commissioned escort carrier USS Liscome Bay in August 1943, where he served as Cook Third Class.
Dorie Millier's story has been captured in such major motion pictures as Tora, Tora, Tora (1970) and Pearl Harbor (2001). In 1974, a destroyer was named in his honor. The ship was decommissioned in 1991. In January 2021, the Navy announced its plans to name one of its newest aircraft carriers after Miller. The USS Doris Miller is scheduled to be laid down in January 2026.
Learn more about his inspiring story in Heroes in the Shadows.
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