You may recall last month when it was announced a Ford-class Aircraft Carrier would be named after Pearl Harbor hero Cook Third Class Doris Miller....
I want to tell you about another effort to honor him. (thread)
I want to tell you about another effort to honor him. (thread)
2/ Years ago, a little girl in Waco, TX, named Eddie, knew Doris Miller before the nation had heard his name because her father, Lee Edward Johnson, was a close friend his.
This is Lee Johnson below. He enlisted after the Pearl Harbor attack.
This is Lee Johnson below. He enlisted after the Pearl Harbor attack.
3/ Think of how amazing it must have been for Eddie and her dad to hear of Dorie Miller's story.
The US military was segregated.
Miller was "barred from combat duties because he was black. He shined shoes, cleared tables and did laundry aboard a segregated battleship...
The US military was segregated.
Miller was "barred from combat duties because he was black. He shined shoes, cleared tables and did laundry aboard a segregated battleship...
4/ But when the Japanese attacked on Dec 7, 1941, he became the hero the U.S. government tried to prevent him from being: he "manned a machine gun, firing at the Japanese warplanes until he ran out of ammunition, and carried wounded sailors to safety."
dallasnews.com/news/2015/08/1…
dallasnews.com/news/2015/08/1…
5/ Miller was awarded the Navy Cross in May 1942 by Adm. Chester W. Nimitz.
6/ When Eddie and her dad heard about Doris's bravery at Pearl Harbor they took up a collection to buy him a silver bracelet upon his return home.
But Miller was killed in 1943; during the Battle of Makin his ship the USS Liscome Bay was sunk by a Japanese submarine.
But Miller was killed in 1943; during the Battle of Makin his ship the USS Liscome Bay was sunk by a Japanese submarine.
7/ That little girl grew up to become US @RepEBJ, Eddie Bernice Johnson, who has said that "the spirit of Dorie Miller...let me appreciate being American...in the days of real segregation, a Black man from my hometown had stepped up to help save America; I was proud."
8/ (That amazing photo in previous tweet is from the Dallas Voice, cover the ceremonies last month announcing the naming of the aircraft carrier after Miller)
dallasvoice.com/doris-miller-r…
dallasvoice.com/doris-miller-r…
9/ Since first being elected to the House in 1993, @RepEBJ has introduced no less than 14 pieces of legislation with the goal of awarding Dorie Miller the Medal of Honor.
Here's the latest, introduced last month.
congress.gov/bill/116th-con…
Here's the latest, introduced last month.
congress.gov/bill/116th-con…
10/ "Miller's actions during the attack on Pearl Harbor reflect unquestionably what the Medal of Honor represents," she said, "to honor those who distinguish themselves conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of their own lives above and beyond the call of duty...
11/ "...It is also important to note that of the 15 sailors who were awarded the Medal of Honor for similar actions during the attack, not a single one was African American."
congress.gov/congressional-…
c-span.org/video/?c485269…
congress.gov/congressional-…
c-span.org/video/?c485269…
12/ @RepEBJ said last month that her father & uncle enlisting "started my dedication to our armed forces" and "it was Dorie Miller’s spirit that gave me the 'oomf' to move forward, to help us continue our thrust and our lust for our great democracy in the country that we live."
13/ "...it’s important for me today to say to you, as a now old woman, how much I appreciate the fact that I am an American, and how much I appreciate the military for making it the America it is today," she said last month. (Below with Dorie Miller's family.)
14/ Thanks to @RepEBJ and her staff for provided me with photos and info for this thread. RIP, Dorie Miller /fin
