Doris Miller
| Doris Miller | |
|---|---|
Miller with his Navy Cross
|
|
| Nickname(s) | "Dorie" |
| Born |
October 12, 1919 Waco, Texas, U.S. |
| Died | November 24, 1943 (aged 24) Gilbert Islands, Gilbert and Ellice Islands |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America |
| Service/branch |
 United States Navy
|
| Years of service | 1939–1943 |
| Rank | Petty Officer, Ship′s Cook Third Class |
| Unit |
USS West Virginia USS Liscome Bay |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards |
 Navy Cross Purple Heart Combat Action Ribbon
|
Doris "Dorie" Miller (October 12, 1919 – November 24, 1943) was a Messman Third Class that the United States Navy noted for his bravery during the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. He was the first African American to be awarded the Navy Cross, the third highest honor awarded by the U.S. Navy at the time, after the Medal of Honor and the Navy Distinguished Service Medal. The Navy Cross now precedes the Navy Distinguished Service Medal. Miller's acts were heavily publicized in the black press, making him an iconic emblem of the war for black Americans. Nearly two years after Pearl Harbor, he was killed in action when USS Liscome Bay was sunk by a Japanese submarine during the Battle of Makin.
Miller was born in Waco, Texas, on October 12, 1919, to Connery and Henrietta Miller. He was the third of four sons and helped around the house, cooking meals and doing laundry, as well as working on the family farm. Miller was a good student and was a fullback on the football team at Waco′s A.J. Moore High School. On January 25, 1937, at age 17, he began attending the eighth grade again. Forced to repeat the grade the following year, Miller decided to drop out of school. He filled his time squirrel hunting with a .22 rifle and completed a correspondence course in taxidermy. Miller applied to join the Civilian Conservation Corps, but was not accepted. At that time he was 6 feet 3 inches (1.91 m) tall and weighed more than 200 pounds (91 kg).
Miller worked on his father′s farm until shortly before his 20th birthday. On September 16, 1939, he enlisted in the United States Navy, where he became a Mess Attendant, Third Class, one of the few ratings then open to African Americans. Following training at the Naval Training Station, Norfolk, Virginia, he was assigned to the ammunition ship Pyro, but on January 2, 1940, was transferred to the battleship West Virginia, where he became the main cook. In July, he was on temporary duty on the Nevada at the Secondary Battery Gunnery School. He returned to his ship in August and was promoted to Ship's Cook, Third Class.
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