121: Doris Miller: Duty, Honor, and the Fight for Recognition

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On Dec. 7, 1941, Japanese forces attacked the U.S. Naval Station at Pearl Harbor. During that chaotic scene, a Black sailor named Doris “Dorie” Miller shot down a Japanese plane and saved an untold number of lives. Doris Miller’s actions were particularly heroic, given the fact that the Navy’s racist policies barred him from serving in a combat role. In fact, he’d only been trained to serve food. For decades, people have fought for Doris Miller to get the recognition that he deserves. The government has been slow to recognize his heroism. But, a few years ago, the acting Secretary of the Navy announced that a future aircraft carrier would be named the USS Doris Miller (CVN-81). Last month,…