Discover the Top 14 Fun Facts about Doris Miller: Heroism, Triumph, and Inspiration

1. Untrained Hero

Who needs a formal training when you've got skill: Doris Miller, a mess attendant on the U.S. Navy, not only handled an anti-aircraft gun like a boss during the attack on Pearl Harbor, downing two enemy planes, but he also saved fleeing sailors, earning himself a well-deserved Navy Cross, a frigate, a nuclear-powered carrier, and a postage stamp with his heroic face on it.
Source => daily.jstor.org

2. Dishwasher War Hero

Breaking news: dishwasher casually becomes war hero! Before you chuckle, here's the scoop: Doris Miller, a mess attendant aboard the USS West Virginia, bravely manned an anti-aircraft gun during the attack on Pearl Harbor without any prior training, becoming the first African American to receive the Navy Cross for his heroic actions.
Source => clarionledger.com

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3. Real-Life Captain America

Move over, Captain America: Doris Miller saved more than just the day! With a Navy Cross tucked under his belt for his heroic actions during the Pearl Harbor attack, he became a beacon of hope for African Americans fighting for civil rights. His exploits left an indelible mark in the press and steered the Navy towards a more diverse and inclusive future. Now that's a sailor worth saluting!
Source => en.wikipedia.org

4. Deadeye Doris

They might as well have called him “Deadeye Doris”: Doris Miller, one of the first African American heroes during World War II, had a knack for hunting small game in rural Texas as a youngster! This unsung marksman would later defy discriminatory policies and showcase his skills during the attack on Pearl Harbor, fearlessly firing a .50 caliber machine gun at the enemy planes and making his country proud.
Source => wacohistory.org

5. USS Miller Adventures

On the deck, tangoing with Poseidon and high-fiving mermaids: Doris "Dorie" Miller's namesake, the USS Miller (FF-1091), a Knox-class frigate in the United States Navy, grooved through Atlantic, Mediterranean, North European, Persian Gulf and Black Sea waters from 1973 to 1991. After some classy reclassification and a reserve force stint, the USS Miller bid adieu to the Naval Vessel Register in 1995 and took a Turkish-style dip as a naval exercise target in 2001.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

6. Dinner Server Turned Justice Server

You might say Doris Miller went from serving dinner to serving justice in a heartbeat: This hero of a mess attendant turned naval gunner single-handedly manned an anti-aircraft gun and rescued injured sailors during the attack on Pearl Harbor, making him the first African-American sailor to be awarded the Navy Cross.
Source => navytimes.com

7. Lord of the Ring: Pearl Harbor Edition

Before he was dodging bullets and racking up medals during the attack on Pearl Harbor, Doris Miller was knocking out sailors left and right, earning him the title of "Lord of the Ring" on his naval ship: Miller's impressive boxing skills crowned him heavyweight champion on board the USS West Virginia (BB 48), well before he made history as the first African American recipient of the Navy Cross for his extraordinary heroism.
Source => navy.mil

8. Hollywood-style Heroism

If Doris Miller's life were an action movie, you'd swear the script was written by Hollywood's finest: a humble cook turned unsung hero, single-handedly taking down enemy planes in a blaze of glory and breaking barriers along the way: Miller, an African American sailor, manned a machine gun with no prior training during the attack on Pearl Harbor and successfully shot down multiple enemy aircraft. His extraordinary courage earned him the Navy Cross, making him the first African American sailor to receive such an esteemed recognition.
Source => britannica.com

9. Rambo Miller

Feeling like a heavyweight champ on a bad sitcom, Doris Miller not only "boxed" his way to the top of USS West Virginia but also wielded a behemoth of a weapon in one of history's most pivotal moments, like Rambo on a mission: Miller impressively manned a 50 caliber Browning anti-aircraft machine gun during the Pearl Harbor attack, despite lacking any training, and earned the Navy Cross - the first for a member of his race in the Pacific Fleet.
Source => history.navy.mil

10. Pre-Tyson Knockout Hero

Before Mike Tyson was making the boxing world tremble in fear, there was a heavyweight hero who knew just how to land a knockout punch—both inside the ring and in the heat of battle: Doris Miller, an African American messman on the USS West Virginia during WW2, showcased his powerful right hook by manning a machine gun and aiding in the evacuation of wounded sailors during the attack on Pearl Harbor, earning him the prestigious Navy Cross, and solidifying his status as America's first African American war hero.
Source => imdb.com

11. Natural Born Weapon Wielder

Who needs proper training when you're a natural-born weapon-wielder on a roll, or should we say in a harbor: Doris Miller fought like a pro during the attack on Pearl Harbor, commandeering a 50 caliber Browning anti-aircraft machine gun without prior training, and fiercely firing at Japanese planes for about fifteen minutes, even potentially hitting one.
Source => usswestvirginia.org

12. Waco Warrior

From humble beginnings in the land of Waco, to bringing home the bacon for his bravery in the perilous seas: Doris Miller, our Texan warrior, was the first African-American to receive the Navy Cross for his heroic actions during the attack on Pearl Harbor, with a bronze-filled memorial now underway in his hometown to honor his courageous tale.
Source => dorismillermemorial.org

13. Gridiron Gladiator

Before he was making waves in the Navy, Doris Miller was a gridiron gladiator and a heavyweight hero of the high seas: Despite having no official training, Miller bravely manned a 50 caliber Browning anti-aircraft machine gun during the attack on Pearl Harbor, seamlessly switching between rescuing wounded sailors and firing at enemy aircraft for 15 minutes.
Source => history.navy.mil

14. Pugilistic Pastry Prodigy

Lo and behold, the pugilistic pastry prodigy: Doris Miller was not only a mess attendant whipping up culinary delights for his comrades aboard the USS West Virginia (BB 48), but also a heavyweight boxing champion who represented the ship in thrilling bouts, all before the attack on Pearl Harbor shook the world.
Source => navy.mil