Doris Miller Military person

Doris "Dorie" Miller (October 12, 1919 – November 24, 1943) was a Messman Third Class in the United States Navy noted for his bravery during the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. He was the first African American to be awarded the Navy Cross, the third highest honor awarded by the U.S. Navy at the time, after the Medal of Honor and the Navy Distinguished Service Medal. The Navy Cross now precedes the Navy Distinguished Service Medal. Miller's acts were heavily publicized in the black press, making him the iconic emblem of the war for blacks—their "Number One Hero"—thereby energizing black support for the war effort against a colored Japanese enemy. Nearly two years after Pearl Harbor, he was killed in action when the USS Liscome Bay was sunk by a Japanese submarine during the Battle of Makin.

Personal facts

Alias (AKA)	Dorie
Birth date	October 12, 1919
Birth place	Texas , Waco Texas
Date of death	November 24, 1943
Place of death	Gilbert and Ellice Islands , Gilbert Islands

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Military person

award	Purple Heart Combat Action Ribbon Navy Cross
military operations	Battle of Tarawa Attack on Pearl Harbor World War II
military branch	United States Navy
service start	1939
service end	1943