Dorie Miller

• Born: October 12, 1919
• Birthplace: Waco, Texas
• Died: November 24, 1943
• Place of death: Pacific Ocean, near Butaritari Island

Soldier

Miller was a Navy cook who took up arms to defend his shipmates during the 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Miller took his place in the annals of military history as one of the most heroic African American sailors of the Pacific campaign.

Areas of achievement: Military; Sports: boxing

Early Life

Doris Miller was born in Waco, Texas, on October 12, 1919, to Henrietta and Connery Miller. He had three brothers, one of whom served in the Army during World War II. Miller was extremely loyal to his family and helped his mother around the house, cooking meals and doing laundry, as well as working the fields of his father’s farm. He was a good student and an outstanding fullback on Waco’s A.J. Moore High School football team, where his coaches and fellow teammates referred to him as the “Raging Bull.”

Fueled by his desire to see the world, Miller enlisted in the U.S Navy on September 16, 1939. He was commissioned as a mess attendant third class. After undergoing training at the Naval Training Station in Norfolk, Virginia, Miller was assigned to the ammunition ship USS Pyro, where he served as a mess attendant. On January 2, 1940, Miller was transferred to the USS West Virginia, where he quickly established himself as the ship’s heavyweight boxing champion. In July, 1940, he was temporarily reassigned to duty aboard the USS Nevada at the Secondary Battery Gunnery School. He returned to the West Virginia on August 3, 1941, and remained there for the next few months. His service culminated in heroic efforts during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor Naval Base in Hawaii.

Life’s Work

On the morning of December 7, 1941, Miller was collecting laundry on the ship when the alarm for general quarters sounded. He quickly moved to the antiaircraft battery magazine, his assigned battle station. Upon arrival, he discovered that Japanese torpedoes had destroyed the magazine, so he immediately made his way to the deck. Once on deck, he was ordered to help move wounded sailors to safety, including Captain Mervyn Bennion, who was injured by bomb fragments. Miller picked him up and attempted to carry him to safety but the captain refused to leave his post and remained there until his death. Next, Miller was ordered to assist in the loading of a pair of .50 caliber antiaircraft guns. Miller took control of one and began firing at Japanese bombers, even though he had no formal training operating such artillery. Miller fired the gun until he ran out of ammunition, bringing down at least one Japanese plane. Eventually a Japanese fighter dropped two armor-piercing bombs through the deck of the battleship and launched aircraft torpedoes into the port side. The West Virginia suffered heavy damage and quickly sank to the harbor bottom. Miller was among the members of the crew who managed to escape. This brutal attack on the U.S. Navy at Pearl Harbor led the United States to officially enter World War II.

Of the 1,541 men stationed on the West Virginia during the attack, 130 were killed and 52 were wounded. For his bravery, Miller was commended by the secretary of the Navy, Frank Knox, on April 1, 1942, and received the Navy Cross on May 27, 1942, becoming the first African American to be awarded this prestigious military honor. Miller was personally presented the award by Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, the commander in chief of the entire Pacific Fleet, aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise. Six days later, Miller reported to the USS Indianapolis.

Miller was assigned to the USS Liscome Bay in the spring of 1943. On the early morning of November 24, near Butaritari Island, a Japanese torpedo struck the carrier near the stern, sinking the warship. Initially listed as missing, Miller was officially presumed dead by the military on November 25, 1944, a year and a day after the ship sank. A total of 646 sailors also died, while 272 survived the attack.

Significance

Miller became a hero during World War II. By taking up arms during the Pearl Harbor attack, he singlehandedly saved countless lives. Miller became the first African American sailor to be awarded the Navy Cross, the third highest honor awarded by the U.S. Navy at the time. Miller also received a Purple Heart, the American Defense Service Medal, the Fleet Clasp, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal. On June 30, 1973, a Knox-class frigate was commissioned in his name, the USS Miller.

Bibliography

Asante, Molefi Kete. One Hundred Greatest African Americans: A Biographical Encyclopedia. Amherst, N.Y.: Prometheus Books, 2002. This unique reference work provides a detailed look at various influential African Americans throughout history, including Miller.

Miller, Richard E. The Messman Chronicles: African Americans in the U.S. Navy, 1932-1943. Annapolis, Md.: Naval Institute Press, 2004. Provides an important overview of the many African Americans who served in the Navy both before and during World War II.

O’Neal, Bill. Doris Miller: Hero of Pearl Harbor. Austin, Tex.: Eakin Press, 2007. Chronicles the heroic efforts of Miller during the infamous attack on Pearl Harbor. Great detail is provided about the events of that day.