Dorie Miller was a black cook and steward on a Navy ship anchored in Pearl Harbor. On Dec. 7, 1941 the Japs launched an aerial attack on Pearl Harbor which thrust the U.S. into WWII with Japan. Blacks were not allowed to handle weaponry of any kind and most were relegated to be cooks, stewards, mess hall orderlies or other non combat assignments. As the Jap zeros were bombing the ships in the harbor a few headed for Dories ship. He ran to the main deck and got behind a 50 cal machine gun. He had no training using this type of machine gun. He shot down several Jap zeros that dropped a bomb earlier killing his captain who he served as a steward. Today the announcement was made to name an aircraft carrier after Dorie. Most carriers carried the name of Presidents so this is an exception. On MLK day this is an appropriate tribute to a true American hero who selfishly did what needed to be done as the attack raged on. I come from a Navy family. My father and his brother served under Admiral Bull Halsey in the Pacific. Dorie served under him as well. I also served in the Navy and I am very humbled and proud that Dorie's name will now be on an a Navy aircraft carrier.

 

Thanks for sharing. I saw the headlines on the news but didn't know the story. Well deserved.

 

He ranks right up there with the Tuskeegee airmen fighter pilots. An all black fighter squadron who were the best fliers in WWII.