On this day, Doris “Dorie” Miller, a Messman Third Class in the United States Navy, was awarded the Navy Cross for his heroic actions during the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Amidst chaos and under enemy fire, Miller manned an anti-aircraft gun—despite having no formal training—and helped move wounded sailors to safety. He became the first African American to receive the Navy Cross, the Navy’s third-highest honor at the time, marking a pivotal moment in the fight against racial discrimination in the U.S. Armed Forces.
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