Dorrie Miller Poster

Dorrie Miller was the first African American to receive the Navy Cross. Though he was just a mess attendant, he did far more than clean up messes on December 7, 1941 at the famous Pearl Harbor on the USS West Virginia. When the ship was hit in an air raid, Dorrie saved his captain, and shot down at least one Japanese fighter plane, and manned the gun until he was told to stop, even though he was never taught to use a gun. He was originally awarded a letter of accommodation, but American citizens thought he deserved a greater award. Frank Knox, the navy secretary at the time was reluctant to award him something greater, but was finally swayed when president Roosevelt intervened and commanded Knox to award Miller the Navy Cross. Dorrie later died aboard the USS Liscomb Bay.

Dorie Miller Poster-John Murphy

Here, Dorie Miller is shown sanding in front of the ruins of Pearl Harbor with a Navy Cross on his shirt. This poster, by David Stone Martin, is based off a photograph of him. Dorie Miller was a cook on the USS West Virginia. In the attack on Pearl Harbor he dragged his captain to safety and manned a 50mm bridge gun, though he had no training with it, and shot down at least one Japanese plane according to his account. He was awarded a Navy Cross six months later. He was previously only given a letter of commendation, but after public outcry in the African-American community he became the first African-American to receive the Navy Cross. After this poster released African American enlistment soared. He died around the time this poster came out, when The Liscome Bay, was torpedoed.