Who was Doris Miller? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Nick Name: Dorie

Died At Age: 24

Family:

father: Connery Miller

mother: Henrietta Miller

siblings: Arthur Miller, Selvia Miller

Born Country: United States

Soldiers American Men

Died on: November 24, 1943

place of death: Gilbert Islands

U.S. State: Texas

City: Waco, Texas

More Facts

awards: Navy Cross
Purple Heart

Recommended For You

1

What role did Doris Miller play in the attack on Pearl Harbor?

Doris Miller was a cook in the U.S. Navy and manned an anti-aircraft gun during the attack on Pearl Harbor, shooting down enemy aircraft despite having no formal training on the weapon.
2

How did Doris Miller become a symbol of African American patriotism during WWII?

Doris Miller's actions at Pearl Harbor were widely publicized, and he became a symbol of African American patriotism during World War II, challenging racial stereotypes and inspiring others.
3

What impact did Doris Miller's heroism have on the civil rights movement?

Doris Miller's heroism helped pave the way for greater opportunities for African Americans in the military, and his actions were instrumental in bringing attention to the contributions of African Americans in the armed forces.
4

How did Doris Miller's actions at Pearl Harbor contribute to the eventual desegregation of the U.S. military?

Doris Miller's bravery highlighted the capabilities of African American service members, leading to increased pressure for the desegregation of the U.S. military, which was eventually achieved in 1948.
5

How is Doris Miller remembered and honored today?

Doris Miller is remembered as a hero for his actions at Pearl Harbor, and he has been posthumously awarded the Navy Cross. His legacy lives on through various honors, including the naming of a Navy ship in his honor.

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Childhood & Early Life

The third of four boys to Connery and Henrietta Miller, Doris Miller was born on 12 October 1919 in Waco, Texas; a dark period where the southern U.S. states were so marred by segregation and race violence that lynching of African Americans had become commonplace.

He attended A.J. Moore High School and although he was a good student and played fullback for football team, he dropped out of school when he was forced to repeat his eighth grade.

He assisted his father in sharecropping and shortly before his 20th birthday in 1939, he enlisted to serve in the US Navy for a period of six years.

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Career

After completing his training at Norfolk-based Naval Training Station, Doris Miller was promoted to Mess Attendant Third Class, and was initially assigned to the Pyro, an ammunition ship.

He was transferred to the battleship USS West Virginia on 2nd January 1940. As a messman, he was responsible for doing the laundry, making the beds and shining the shoes for officers on the ship.

Aboard the Virginia, he took up competitive boxing, and quickly became the heavyweight champion on the ship and by February of 1941, he was promoted to Mess Attendant Second Class.

In July 1941, he served on the lead battleship USS Nevada for roughly a month before being reassigned back to USS West Virginia stationed at Pearl Harbour.

On the morning of 7th December 1941, he was below decks collecting laundry right around the time when the first wave of attacks by 200 odd Japanese dive bombers, torpedo planes and fighters commenced on the US fleet docked at Pearl Harbour.

As the general quarter alarm blared, he ran to his battle station amid ships only to find the anti-aircraft gun battery there damaged by a torpedo. Making his way to the deck, he worked tirelessly to carry wounded sailors to the ship’s safer sections, including a mortally wounded Mervyn Bennion, the ship’s Captain.

An officer, having spotted two unmanned anti-aircraft guns ordered him to supply ammunition. With the officer needed elsewhere, he instructed Miller on how to operate the gun, and Doris Miller manned the gun impressively, despite his lack of formal training. By the time ammunition ran out, he had shot down at least three Japanese planes.

Days after Pearl Harbour, he was transferred to USS Indianapolis, a battle cruiser where he spent the next 17 months.

By January 1st, 1942 the Navy released a commendation list for Pearl Harbour heroes; it contained one unnamed black sailor. Thanks to the journalistic work by the Pittsburgh Courier, Doris Miller was confirmed the unnamed sailor and he was formally commended and awarded with the Navy Cross.

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While still attached to the USS Indianapolis, he returned to Pearl Harbour for a war bond tour. During the tour, he also spoke in front of the graduating class of non-commissioned sailors at the Illinois based Great Lakes Naval Training Station.

He reported to Puget Sound Navy Yard in mid-1943 and was assigned as Cook Third Class to Liscome Bay, a newly constructed escort carrier as part of the Northern attack force tasked with invading the Gilbert Islands. Unfortunately, the Liscome Bay was struck by a torpedo from a Japanese submarine on 24th November 1943. It engulfed in flames within minutes and sunk with most of her crew on board.

Achievements

Undaunted in the face of enemy fire and bombing at Pearl Harbour, he first helped his drowning crewmates get to a safe spot on the ship, and then manned an anti-aircraft machine gun, and bravely fired away at Japanese dive bombers shooting down a few in the process; the latter is remarkable given he had no prior training of operating a gun of that nature.

Awards

For his Pearl harbour heroics, Doris Miller was presented with the Navy Cross on May 27th, 1942 by Commander in Chief of the Pacific Fleet, Admiral Chester Nimitz. At the time, the Navy Cross was the second highest gallantry award in the US Navy and he was the first ever African-American to receive the award.

He received other awards, prime among them being the Purple Heart, the Fleet Clasp, the American Defence Service Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal.

Death

When the Liscome Bay was sunk by a Japanese submarine, only 272 men were rescued. Doris Miller’s parents were notified of their son’s ‘missing in action’ status. They finally decided to hold a memorial service for him on April 30th, 1944 at the Second Baptist Church, Waco.

Doris Miller was officially declared dead by the Navy on November 25th, 1944.

Legacy

Doris Miller’s heroics set in motion several reforms in the US Navy. One of them was the Officer’s Training Program for African-American sailors at Camp Robert Small in January 1944 and three months later saw 13 black officers get commissioned. Today, there are several African-American admirals serving in the US Navy.

A Knox class frigate, USS Miller was commissioned on June 30th, 1973 in his honour.

He has been portrayed in popular Hollywood movies like Tora! Tora! Tora! (1970) and Pearl Harbour (2001).

Facts About Doris Miller

Doris Miller was a talented musician and often played the guitar in his free time while serving in the Navy.

Despite facing racial discrimination, Doris Miller displayed incredible bravery during the attack on Pearl Harbor, manning an anti-aircraft gun despite having no formal training.

Doris Miller was known for his strong sense of duty and dedication to his fellow sailors, earning him respect among his peers.

Following his heroic actions at Pearl Harbor, Doris Miller became a symbol of inspiration for African Americans during World War II.

Doris Miller's legacy lives on through the USS Miller (FF-1091), a naval ship named in his honor and recognition of his courageous actions.

Doris Miller Biography

You wanted to know

What role did Doris Miller play in the attack on Pearl Harbor?

How did Doris Miller become a symbol of African American patriotism during WWII?

What impact did Doris Miller's heroism have on the civil rights movement?

How did Doris Miller's actions at Pearl Harbor contribute to the eventual desegregation of the U.S. military?

How is Doris Miller remembered and honored today?