Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Remembering Dorie Miller--A Pearl Harbor Hero

Video About the Actions of Dorie Miller


On this day in 1941, an ordinary man became a hero. Dorie Miller was a Navy cook. He was a man untrained in military weapons because of his color, and it was policy to have black men serve as cooks only in the US Navy. But in the early morning on that December day, Miller was forced to train himself on weaponry.  The ship he served on was the USS West Virginia, and it, like others at Pearl Harbor was attacked.

Miller ran to the deck, helped one of his officers who was gravely wounded. Then he went on deck, took a weapon into his hands and shot at several Japanese planes and actually prevented one from striking the ship.  He was awarded the Navy Cross for his bravery, the first African American to be so honored.



Today few people know his name---although there is a Dorie Miller park in Hawaii that bears his name and he was a true American Hero. He would never live to see the freedoms he fought for, but shall not be forgotten.

He was honored on a US postage stamp in 2010 on a series honoring heroes from the American Navy.


Rest in Peace Dorie Miller. We honor you, on this day!

1 comment:

Wendy said...

I had heard this story before from a student who wrote about Dorie Miller for a Black History Month essay. Thanks for reminding me about this true American hero.