World War II Doris Miller, Hero of Pearl Harbor, 1942 Photo

World War II Doris Miller, Hero of Pearl Harbor, 1942 Photo

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This photo was taken on board U.S.S. Enterprise (CV-6) at Pearl Harbor by a U.S. Navy photographer on 27 May 1942. The occasion was the awards ceremony where Admiral Chester W. Nimitz presented the Navy Cross to Doris Miller, Mess Attendant Second Class, USN (1919-1943). Although the Navy was still segregated, Doris ("Dorie") Miller joined the Navy as a messman and was on board the U.S.S. West Virginia during the 7 December 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. Messmen received no gunnery training, but during the attack, at great personal risk, Miller took over a weapon after another man was wounded and succeeded in hitting Japanese planes. The medal was awarded for that action.

This is the photo that was the basis for the Navy recruiting poster "Above and Beyond" featuring Dorie Miller, also available in this Olive-Drab.com Gallery.

Today in WW II: 10 May 1940 German Blitzkrieg ["lightning war"] begins with air attacks on Dutch cities and invasion of Belgium and Luxembourg.  More ↓
10 May 1940 British Prime Minister Chamberlain resigns and is replaced by Winston Churchill.
10 May 1940 Iceland invaded by the United Kingdom [Operation Fork] to prevent a German presence there.
10 May 1941 Savage climax to the Blitz as 507 German aircraft drop 711 tons of bombs on London [10-11 May].
10 May 1941 Rudolf Hess files to Scotland [10-11 May].
Visit the Olive-Drab.com World War II Timeline for day-by-day events 1939-1945! See also WW2 Books.