Sailor Doris Miller, WWII Pearl Harbor Hero To Have 2nd Ship Named After Him By US Navy

[appalachiablue]

Doris Miller (CVN 81) Naming Ceremony, *Jan 24, 2020. Messman Doris Miller was awarded the Navy Cross for his actions during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. The U.S. Navy announced that CVN 81 will be named in his honor, making it the 2nd ship named after Miller & the 1st aircraft carrier named for an African American & enlisted sailor. “Doris Miller stood for everything that is good about our nation, & his story deserves to be remembered & repeated wherever our people continue to stand the watch today,” said acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas Modly. The future USS Doris Miller (CVN 81) will be built at Newport News Shipbuilding. (Huntington Ingalls Industries).



- Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, pins the Navy Cross on Miller at a ceremony on board a U.S. Navy warship in Pearl Harbor on May 27, 1942.

-- NPR, 'US Navy To Name Aircraft Carrier After WWII Hero Doris Miller, ' *Jan. 19, 2020.
https://www.npr.org/2020/01/19/797756016/u-s-navy-to-name-aircraft-carrier-after-wwii-hero-doris-miller

The U.S. Navy says it will name an aircraft carrier after Doris "Dorie" Miller, the African American mess attendant who heroically leapt into combat during the bombing of Pearl Harbor. It marks the first time that an aircraft carrier has been named for an African American, and the first time a sailor has been so honored for actions taken as an enlisted man.

In 1941, Miller was a 22-year-old mess attendant on the USS West Virginia. At the time, black sailors were consigned to roles in the messman branch — work that entailed swabbing decks, cooking and shining officers' shoes... For his bravery, Miller was presented with the Navy Cross in May 1942. He was the first black sailor to be awarded the medal, one of the Navy's highest honors. "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 and I'm sure that the future will see others similarly honored for brave acts," Adm. Chester Nimitz, the commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, said at the time.

Miller had won renown, and he was brought home in November 1942 for a two-month tour to promote war bonds. His image was used on a Navy recruiting poster. He did not survive the war. Miller was aboard the USS Liscome Bay when it was struck by a Japanese torpedo in the Pacific in 1943. Nearly 650 of the more than 900 sailors on board died when the ship sank, and Miller's body was never recovered. He was posthumously awarded a Purple Heart, among other honors...

[Blue Owl]

1. K&R

[CatWoman]

2. My dad told me about him when I was a little girl

[appalachiablue]

3. That's great. I hope more people learn about Miller, others.

[KT2000]

4. I hope his family

has survived to see this. How sad he did not make it out of the war.

[burrowowl]

5. Recognition at last.

What a brave and strong courageous human being!

[gladium et scutum]

7. Recognition at last?

He was awarded the Navy Cross (second highest military decoration) and FF 1091 USS Miller was named after him. in recognition of his actions at Pearl Harbor. Would have rather the carrier be named Franklin D. Roosevelt.

[billh58]

12. Another one?

https://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/f/franklin-d-roosevelt-cvb-42.html

[burrowowl]

22. sword and shield an aircraft carrier named after

an enlisted man is something and a hell of a lot better than naming one after Raygun or Bush!

[gladium et scutum]

25. agree better than

Stennis, Reagan, Ford, or Bush

Would have preferred USS Franklin D. Roosevelt CV-81

[Skeptical Thomas]

6. Bravo!

[Chainfire]

8. Had he been white, the award may have been the MOH

Perhaps Trump will upgrade it.

[gladium et scutum]

9. Probably not

many white sailors reported to their GQ stations, shot at the Japanese aircraft, helped wounded men and did not receive any medals for their efforts.

[billh58]

11. Medals are given

for actions "above and beyond" the call of duty, which describes Miller's heroic performance perfectly without regard to his skin color.

[gladium et scutum]

13. "above and beyond the call of duty"

describes the actions of hundreds of sailors desperately trying to save their shipmates and their ships.

[billh58]

14. Some actions stand out

more than others in war, but you are free to disparage those who are recognized by their leaders.

[gladium et scutum]

15. Not disparaging Miller's award

At the time the Navy Cross was the third highest medal the Navy could award. Miller's actions onboard West Virginia merit the award of the Navy Cross. Do you think that Kidd's actions were above and beyond the call of duty? How about Bennions? Both received the MOH.

[billh58]

16. See ya... n/t

[angstlessk]

19. Are/Were you in the Air Force? n/t

[gladium et scutum]

20. No Twenty Five years in the U.S. Navy

Retired in 94 as a Commander

[llashram]

10. As a vet

I am glad to see this recognition of a veteran who did his duty, regardless of the social culture of the day. Yet given that I am still amazed at the sons of the confederacy I personally had to deal with in Vietnam I glad to see this honourable recognition of Dorie Miller. And this in an era that has a potus calling ALL vets "suckers and losers".

May his spirit be at peace.

[billh58]

17. Fully deserved

recognition for exceptional bravery and dedication.

[ProfessorGAC]

18. IIRC

He jumped through a fire to get to that AA gun.
He was a hero by any description.

[CatWoman]

21. And I believe he was a cook

[appalachiablue]

24. Miller was a cook, a 'messman': from NPR article posted above:

(NPR).. Miller was a 22-year-old mess attendant on the USS West Virginia. At the time, black sailors were consigned to roles in the messman branch — work that entailed swabbing decks, cooking and shining officers' shoes... For his bravery, Miller was presented with the Navy Cross in May 1942. He was the first black sailor to be awarded the medal, one of the Navy's highest honors...

[MustLoveBeagles]

23. A true hero