Dorie Miller, a messman, downs three Japanese planes in the attack of Pearl Harbor December 7, 1941

Dorie Miller, a navy enlisted African American man on temporary duty in the sailors’ or officers’ dining quarters, served as a hero on this historical day. On a normal day Miller served the food and cleared the tables, but when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor his courageous instincts kicked in full force.

Doris Miller, known as “Dorie” to shipmates and friends, was born in Waco, Texas, on October 12, 1919. He enlisted in the U.S Navy as Mess Attendant, Third Class, at Dallas, Texas, on 16 September 1939 and later was commended by the Secretary of the Navy, was advanced to Mess Attendant, Second Class and First Class, and subsequently was promoted to Cook, Third Class. Following training at the Naval Training Station, Norfolk, Virginia, Miller was assigned to the ammunition ship USS Pyro (AE-1) where he served as a Mess Attendant, and on January 2, 1940 was transferred to USS West Virginia (BB-48), where he became the ship’s heavyweight boxing champion. In July of that year he had temporary duty aboard USS Nevada (BB-36) at Secondary Battery Gunnery School. He returned to West Virginia and on August 3, 1941 and was serving in that battleship when the Japanese attacked on this day in American history that will never be forgotten. Miller fired a machine gun during the battle, which he had not been trained to operate. His words regarding the moment were recorded as such:

“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.”

On May 27, 1942 Miller received the Navy Cross personally presented by Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, on board aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CV-6) for his extraordinary courage in battle. Admiral Nimitz stated:

“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.”

-Infinite Wiz (@infinitewiz)