December 7th, 1941 - Remember!!
1943
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This sketch by Charles Alston depicts Dorie Miller defending Pearl Harbor during the Japanese attack.
Navy Messman Third Class Dorie Miller was born on October 12, 1919, in Waco, Texas. Miller joined the U.S. Navy in 1939, and was made a mess attendant, then cook, aboard the USS West Virginia. Although there were limited opportunities for African Americans in the Armed Forces during World War II, 2.5 million black men registered for the draft and thousands of black women joined auxiliary units. African Americans generally served in segregated combat support groups with limited military engagement.
During the Pearl Harbor attack on the morning of December 7, 1941, Miller first ensured the safety of several crewmates. Then he began firing at Japanese warplanes with a 50 caliber anti-aircraft gun. Miller shot down two Japanese aircraft (and possibly downed two more) during the raid.
Following Pearl Harbor, Miller received a Navy Cross from Admiral Chester W. Nimitz. He would later receive the Purple Heart, the American Defense Service Medal – Fleet Clasp, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal. In the spring of 1943, he was assigned to the USS Liscome Bay (still at the rank of messman), when he was killed during a Japanese submarine attack on November 24, 1943 near the Gilbert Islands in the Pacific.
Navy Messman Third Class Dorie Miller was born on October 12, 1919, in Waco, Texas. Miller joined the U.S. Navy in 1939, and was made a mess attendant, then cook, aboard the USS West Virginia. Although there were limited opportunities for African Americans in the Armed Forces during World War II, 2.5 million black men registered for the draft and thousands of black women joined auxiliary units. African Americans generally served in segregated combat support groups with limited military engagement.
During the Pearl Harbor attack on the morning of December 7, 1941, Miller first ensured the safety of several crewmates. Then he began firing at Japanese warplanes with a 50 caliber anti-aircraft gun. Miller shot down two Japanese aircraft (and possibly downed two more) during the raid.
Following Pearl Harbor, Miller received a Navy Cross from Admiral Chester W. Nimitz. He would later receive the Purple Heart, the American Defense Service Medal – Fleet Clasp, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal. In the spring of 1943, he was assigned to the USS Liscome Bay (still at the rank of messman), when he was killed during a Japanese submarine attack on November 24, 1943 near the Gilbert Islands in the Pacific.
This primary source comes from the Records of the Office of War Information.
National Archives Identifier: 535613
Full Citation: Artwork 208-COM-43; December 7th, 1941 - Remember!!; 1943; Artworks and Mockups for Cartoons Promoting the War Effort and Original Sketches by Charles Alston, ca. 1942 - ca. 1945; Records of the Office of War Information, Record Group 208; National Archives at College Park, College Park, MD. [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/december-7th-remember, January 19, 2025]Rights: Public Domain, Free of Known Copyright Restrictions. Learn more on our privacy and legal page.
