On December 7, 1941, during the attack on Pearl Harbor, Doris “Dorie” Miller, an African American Mess Attendant in the U.S. Navy, performed acts of extraordinary heroism. Despite being restricted by segregation-era policies to serve only in support roles, Miller: • Carried wounded sailors (including his ship’s captain) to safety • Manned an anti-aircraft machine gun — a weapon he was not trained to use • Fired at attacking Japanese aircraft until the ammunition ran out • Became one of the first

Navy names aircraft carrier for Pearl Harbor hero Doris Miller

Doris “Dorie” Miller was stationed aboard the USS West Virginia moored in Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Miller joined the Navy in 1939 at a time when the service remained deeply segregated. As a Black man, he was not eligible for training or assignment in any special training. When the fleet came under attack by the Empire of Japan, 22-year-old mess attendant third class Miller was below decks. With the first explosion, he went to his battle station in the ship’s magazine, where he expected

Today is 7 December. _ On this day in history, 7 December 1941, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii was attacked by the Imperial Japanese Navy. Doris Miller was a 22‑year‑old mess attendant from Waco, Texas, would become the first Black American to receive the Navy Cross for heroism during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941.​ When Japanese aircraft struck the battleship USS West Virginia, Miller rushed from his battle station to carry wounded sailors to safety, helping move his mortally wou