Miller, Doris, 1919-1944

Variant names

Dates:

Birth 1919

Death 1943

Birth 1919

Death 1944-11-25

Birth 1919-10-12

Death 1943-11-24

Gender:

Male

Nationality: Americans, African Americans,

Language: English,

Biographical notes:

Doris "Dorie" Miller (October 12, 1919 – November 24, 1943) was an American Sailor in the United States Navy. He manned anti-aircraft guns during the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, for which he had no training, and tended to the wounded. He was recognized by the Navy for his actions and awarded the Navy Cross.

He was the first black American to be awarded the Navy Cross, the second highest decoration for valor awarded by the Navy, after the Medal of Honor. 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 his ship Liscome Bay was sunk by a Japanese submarine during the Battle of Makin.