US Navy to Name New Aircraft Carrier After Doris Miller

The heroes of the December 7, 1941, Pearl Harbor attack have been acknowledged with numerous accolades, such as medals and memorials, and a few have even had naval ships named in their memory. One of the most notable individuals from that fateful day, Doris Miller, is now being honored in a historic and unprecedented way. The United States Navy, under Acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas Modly, has announced that a new Gerald R. This decision stands out, as aircraft carriers are usually named after US presidents or other highly prominent figures. Miller, however, was an enlisted African-American sailor who served in a segregated military, making this recognition all the more remarkable.

Born in Waco, Texas, Doris Miller wasn’t expected to become a hero that infamous December morning. He served as a mess attendant on the USS West Virginia (BB-48), one of the few positions available to African-American servicemen at the time. His duties were to assist with serving meals and maintaining the ship’s dining areas. However, when Japanese forces launched their surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, Miller rose to the occasion in extraordinary ways.
When the attack began, Miller was stationed below deck. Finding his assigned battle station unreachable, he went topside, where chaos reigned. Ordered to assist in moving the wounded, Miller helped carry injured sailors to safety, including the ship’s mortally wounded captain, Mervyn Bennion, who had been hit by shrapnel. In a bold move, Miller then manned a .50 caliber anti-aircraft gun, despite having no prior training on the weapon. He fired relentlessly at Japanese aircraft until his ammunition was depleted, displaying extraordinary bravery and resourcefulness under fire.

In recognition of his courage, Doris Miller became the first African-American serviceman to receive the Navy Cross, the Navy’s second-highest decoration for valor. On May 27, 1942, Admiral Chester Nimitz, Commander in Chief of the Pacific Fleet, presented the medal to Miller in a special ceremony aboard the USS Enterprise (CV-6). Nimitz highlighted Miller’s actions as an inspiration, marking a significant moment in the history of African-American service members during World War II.
Tragically, Miller’s story of heroism did not end with Pearl Harbor. Two years later, on November 24, 1943, he was killed when the escort carrier USS Liscome Bay (CVE-56) was torpedoed and sunk in the Pacific, adding to the legacy of his service and sacrifice.

On January 20, 2020, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the US Navy made the official announcement of their decision to name the new aircraft carrier after Doris Miller. The carrier, projected to cost $12.5 billion, is a tribute to his extraordinary heroism and the significance of his legacy. It also marks the first time an African-American and enlisted sailor will have a Navy aircraft carrier named in his honor.
This isn’t the first time a naval vessel has borne Miller’s name. The destroyer escort USS Miller (DE/FF-1091) was commissioned in 1973 and served until its decommissioning in 1991. Now, with this new aircraft carrier, his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of sailors.
Doris Miller’s bravery has also been immortalized in films, such as Michael Bay’s Pearl Harbor and the 2019 Midway, which both portray his heroic deeds. Schools, parks, and streets across the country also carry his name as a reminder of his courage.