Doris Miller, Mess Attendant Second Class, receives the Navy Cross from Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, at an awards ceremony held on the flight deck of USS Enterprise (CV 6) at Pearl Harbor, May 27, 1942.
The medal was awarded for his heroism on board USS West Virginia (BB 48) during the Pearl Harbor Attack, December 7, 1941.
Miller valiantly armed the anti-aircraft guns on the USS West Virginia during the attack on Pearl Harbor attempting to shoot down the Japanese planes that were attacking. If you watch the most recent movie about Pearl Harbor, Doris Miller was played by Cuba Gooding Jr. If you make it to Hawaii, please visit the USS Arizona Memorial.
