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Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson has reaffirmed her legislative efforts to posthumously award the Congressional Medal of Honor to Waco native and World War II hero, Doris Miller. Today, Congresswoman Johnson reintroduced a resolution in the U.S House of Representatives that would do just that.
Mess Attendant First Class Miller or “Dorie” as he is popularly known, was collecting laundry aboard the USS Virginia when the Japanese struck Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Miller dragged his ship’s commander, who was mortally wounded by shrapnel, out of the line of fire to safety. Miller then manned a 50-caliber Browning anti-aircraft machine gun on the deck of his ship and shot down at least three of the 29 Japanese planes that went down that day.
“There were many brave men who gave their lives to save their peers that day,” said Congresswoman Johnson. “Many men were awarded with Medals of Honor and their names were written in history books so the memory of their bravery would live on. Regrettably, there were some that were forgotten and hardly recognized for their actions. Among those forgotten men is Doris Miller.”
Miller was awarded the Navy Cross by President Roosevelt before his death in 1943 when his ship became lost at sea, but he was never awarded the Medal of Honor, the highest military honor one can receive. During the last several legislative sessions, Congresswoman Johnson with the support of a number of other Representatives has introduced similar legislation to waive the statue of limitations so that Miller could receive the Medal of Honor. Over the years, however, Navy officials have concluded that the Navy Cross appropriately recognizes Miller’s actions.
“This recognition is long overdue to a man who served his country with distinction during World War II and who performed valiantly during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor,” Congresswoman Johnson said. “His actions were heroic and they should be rewarded as that.”
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