Death of Dorie Miller
Death of Dorie Miller
U.S. sailor Dorie Miller died on November 24, 1943, during the Battle of Makin.
Doris “Dorie” Miller was born on October 12, 1919, in Waco, Texas. The third of four sons, he worked on the family farm, was a good student, and played fullback on his high school’s football team. He eventually dropped out of school and joined the Navy on September 16, 1939.
At the time, there were few positions allowed to African Americans, so Miller was made a Mess Attendant. He served aboard several ships early on, including the Pyro and the Nevada. In January 1940, Miller was part of the crew of the USS West Virginia, which was sent to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
December 7th, 1941, began with a normal morning’s work of collecting laundry for Miller. That changed suddenly as Japanese planes attacked the American fleet at Pearl Harbor. When the alarm for general quarters rang, Miller raced to his battle station, but a torpedo had destroyed the anti-aircraft gun there.
Miller was a large, strong man – he was the heavyweight-boxing champion on the ship. With his battle station ruined, he put that strength to use helping an officer carry wounded sailors to safety, including the captain of the West Virginia.
With no other wounded in sight, Miller then manned a .50-caliber anti-aircraft gun – even though he’d never been trained in its use. That didn’t prevent him from shooting down three confirmed Japanese planes, with three more unconfirmed. As torpedoes blew through the deck, the crew was ordered to abandon ship. Miller dived overboard as the West Virginia settled to the harbor floor.
In May of the following year, Miller received a Navy Cross for his courage. He was the first African American to be awarded the medal and was called one of the “first U.S. heroes of World War II.”
After receiving his award, Miller was promoted to Mess Attendant First Class. He then went on a war bond tour before returning to service in May 1943 to serve aboard the USS Liscome Bay. That same year he was also featured on a U.S. Navy recruiting poster titled “Above and beyond the call of duty.”
On November 20, 1943, Miller’s ship was involved in the Battle of Makin Island. Then on November 24, a Japanese torpedo struck the ship, leading the aircraft bomb magazine to explode a few minutes later. Of the crew of more than 900, only 272 survived. Miller was among the two-thirds of the ship’s crew listed as “presumed dead.” His family later held a memorial service in Waco. A number of memorials, buildings and other sites have been named in Miller’s honor.
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Dorie Miller was an American hero. I appreciate Mystic for introducing all readers to the exploits of individuals who served our nation. In Dorie’s case here was a man who rose to the occasion under the most trying of circumstances.
He is a true hero.
Here was a man of whom we can say “Who more than self his county loved and mercy more than life” (America. America)
Of course Dorie Miller was a hero…a true hero, but what about all the hundreds of others; why single him out and put him on a postage stamp? My Dad was in charge of a 40 mm aboard an Attack Troop Transport; and his 40 mm gun was credited with 13 Japanese Zero kills during the Battle of Midway and Guadalcanal. He dove in the water and saved three people in the confusion at Midway after his ship was hit by a bomb and blew many overboard. Why wasn’t my Dad on a Stamp; why wasn’t he declared a hero. Does anyone want to hear the answer? I thought not.
Mr. Hilliard, Thank you for sharing your fathers service to our country. He is a hero. I sincerely hope he knew so in his heart. I can’t imagine he did not, which is why he put his own safety at risk to save others as well as serve our country. All he did is as important as Dorie Miller’s contributions. I believe all who appreciate all the good of our country know some of the answer why. Still, thank you. Thanks to your Dad.
Did he receive the Navy Cross?
You have issues.
Later the US Navy named a ship after Dorie Miller
Did he receive the Navy Cross?