1919 – 1943

Doris Miller

first African American to be awarded the Navy Cross (1919–1943)

soldierenlisted navy sailorcook

Born

1919-10-12, Waco

Died

1943-11-24

Birthplace state

Texas

Biography

Doris "Dorie" Miller was a U.S. Navy sailor who was the first black recipient of the Navy Cross and a nominee for the Medal of Honor. As a mess attendant second class aboard the battleship USS West Virginia, Miller helped carry wounded sailors to safety during the attack on Pearl Harbor. He then manned an anti-aircraft gun and, despite no prior training in gunnery, officially shot down one plane, but Miller and other eyewitnesses claimed a range of four to six.

Occupation

Doris Miller is recorded as a soldier, a enlisted navy sailor and a cook, born in Texas (1919–1943).

Connections to Texas

Doris Miller was born in Waco, Texas in 1919. Explore other notable figures from Texas, historic sites connected to this era, and the full colonial and statehood history of the state using the links below.

Other notable figures from Texas›Texashistory ›Historic sites in Texas›

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Overview

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The Land

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Geology

The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.

LiDAR Terrain

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Conflict & War

The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.

The Civil War

The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.

The Soldiers

The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.

Native Heritage

The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.

Settlement

Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.

The Community

How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.

Rivers & Rail

The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.

Notable People

The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.

Historical Maps

Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.

Finds & Access

Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.

Literature

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Spotlight

A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.

Points of Interest

The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.

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More notable figures from Texas

Other historical figures born in Texas, ranked by historical prominence.

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Frequently asked about Doris Miller

Who was Doris Miller?

Doris Miller was first African American to be awarded the Navy Cross (1919–1943), born in Texas (1919 – 1943).

When and where was Doris Miller born?

Doris Miller was born on 1919-10-12 in Waco.

When did Doris Miller die?

Doris died on 1943-11-24.

What was Doris Miller known for?

Doris Miller is recorded as a soldier, a enlisted navy sailor and a cook.

Source

Biographical content adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Source: Wikipedia.

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