Navy sailor who was the first black recipient of the Navy Cross and a nominee for the Medal of Honor. As a mess attendant second class [ 1 ] [ 2 ] in the United States Navy , Miller helped carry wounded sailors to safety during the attack on Pearl Harbor. He then manned an anti-aircraft gun [ 3 ] and, despite no prior training in gunnery, officially shot down one plane according to Navy Department records , but Miller and other eyewitnesses claimed a range of four to six.
Miller received the Navy Cross from Admiral Chester Nimitz on May 27, , but many sailors and naval officers believed that Miller's heroism deserved a Medal of Honor. Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox , who opposed black sailors serving the United States in any combat role, recommended against Miller receiving the Medal of Honor.
Baker was the only black veteran of World War II to be awarded this decoration while yet alive. He was named Doris, as the midwife who assisted his mother was convinced before his birth that the baby would be a girl. He applied to join the Civilian Conservation Corps but was not accepted. At that time, he was 6 feet 3 inches 1. Miller's nickname "Dorie" may have originated from a typographical error.
He was nominated for recognition for his actions on December 7, , and the Pittsburgh Courier released a story on March 14, , which gave his name as "Dorie Miller". Miller enlisted in the U. Navy as a mess attendant third class at the Naval Recruiting Station in Dallas, Texas, for six years on September 16, It was on West Virginia where he started competition boxing, becoming the ship's heavyweight champion.
He returned to West Virginia on August 3. He advanced in rating to mess attendant second class on February 16, Miller woke up at 6 a. He served breakfast mess and was collecting laundry at a. He then went to "Times Square" on deck, a central spot aboard the ship where the fore-to-aft and port-to-starboard passageways crossed, reporting himself available for other duty and was assigned to help carry wounded sailors to places of greater safety.
