Dorie Miller was a Navy cook who was awarded the Navy Cross for his heroic actions on December 7, 1941 during the attack on Pearl Harbor. Because of his enormous size and strength, he had been asked to move the mortally wounded ship’s captain from his exposed position to the bridge. After securing the captain’s safety, he stepped up behind an anti-aircraft gun and shot at incoming Japanese planes.
After securing the captain’s safety, he stepped up behind an anti-aircraft gun and shot at incoming Japanese planes.
Dorie Miller was the first African-American to be awarded the Navy Cross. He became famous for his actions, and toured the United States to help recruit volunteers for the Navy. His bravery and his fame helped open opportunities for African-Americans to serve in combat roles.
Dorie Miller toured the United States to help recruit volunteers for the Navy
Miller had become a cook because that was one of the few positions open to black Americans in the Navy. He was tall and powerfully built. When he enlisted in the Navy he was 6’ 3” and weighed over 200 pounds. He became the ship’s heavyweight boxing champion.
Pearl Harbor Attack
When Pearl Harbor was attacked, Dorie Miller was serving aboard the battleship USS West Virginia. His battle station was the anti-aircraft battery magazine, but when he reported for duty at the sound of the attack alarms, the magazine was already damaged by a torpedo. He reported as available for additional duty, and was assigned to carry wounded sailors to safety. Commander R.H. Hillenkoetter, the executive officer, credited Miller with “…saving the lives of a number of people who might otherwise have been lost.”
“It wasn’t hard. I just pulled the trigger and she worked fine. I had watched the others with these guns…”
An officer ordered Miller to carry Captain Bennion from an exposed position to a safer part of the bridge. When fire broke out, he manned the hose and helped extinguish the fire. The Captain, although mortally wounded, was still able to survey the ship’s condition and issue orders. He ordered the officers and Miller below for an interval. When they returned, he had died from a gaping shrapnel wound in his abdomen.
Dorie Miller with Navy Cross
At this point, Miller was taken by an officer to a pair of anti-aircraft guns. He had intended to ask Miller to feed ammunition to both guns, but another officer loaded both guns and directed Miller to take control of one of them. The Naval historian quotes Miller, who was not trained to operate the gun.
“It wasn’t hard. I just pulled the trigger and she worked fine. I had watched the others with these guns. I guess I fired her for about fifteen minutes. I think I got one of those Jap planes. They were diving pretty close to us.”
Admiral Nimitz Personally Awards the Navy Cross
Word of Miller’s heroism reached Washington, but the first reports failed to name him. They said simply that “a Negro messman” had manned a machine gun and performed heroically. The Pittsburgh Courier, one of the top black-owned newspapers in the country, sent a reporter to identify the “messman,” and brought Miller’s name to national attention. He was subsequently awarded the Navy Cross, and became nationally known.
…“a Negro messman” had manned a machine gun and performed heroically.
Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, Commander in Chief, Pacific Fleet, personally awarded the Navy Cross to Dorie Miller on May 27, 1942. The ceremony took place in Pearl Harbor, aboard the aircraft carrier Enterprise.
Dorie Miller receives Navy Cross
Nimitz made brief remarks during the award ceremony. “This marks the first time in this conflict that such high tribute has been made in the Pacific Fleet to a member of his race. I’m sure that the future will see others similarly honored for brave acts.”
Citation
“For distinguished devotion to duty, extraordinary courage and disregard for his own personal safety during the attack on the Fleet in Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii, by Japanese forces on December 7, 1941. While at the side of his Captain on the bridge, Miller, despite enemy strafing and bombing and in the face of a serious fire, assisted in moving his Captain, who had been mortally wounded, to a place of greater safety, and later manned and operated a machine gun directed at enemy Japanese attacking aircraft until ordered to leave the bridge.”
Death in Battle, and Naming Honors
Dorie Miller was promoted, and after touring several cities on a recruiting tour, he returned to duty in the Pacific. He served aboard the escort carrier Liscome Bay. On November 24, 1943, the Liscome Bay was sunk in action during the Battle of Makin Island. Only 272 survived from the crew of over 900. Dorie Miller was among those lost in the battle.
The USS Miller (FF-1091)
A U.S. Navy ship was named after Mess Attendant Third Class Miller. The USS Miller (FF-1091), a Knox-class frigate, was commissioned on June 30, 1973. There is also a Miller Family Park located on the U.S. Naval Base, Pearl Harbor.
