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The Story of Doris “Dorie” Miller

He Gave His All to the Navy, but the Navy Had Limits as to What They Gave Him

William Spivey
Black History Month 365

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Unknown photographer, US Navy, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

When I was coming up, there was a popular song by Johnny Cash called “A Boy Named Sue.” The boy in the song caught hell; it couldn’t have been easier for Doris Miller, born in Waco, TX, on October 12, 1919. Fortunately for Doris, he grew to 6 foot 3 inches and weighed over 200 lbs. Doris played fullback on his high school football team. I imagine there came a point where nobody made fun of his name. The midwife who delivered Doris was confident the baby would be a girl, and the predetermined name stuck.

Doris worked on his father’s farm and was proficient at shooting squirrels with a .22 rifle, a skill that would be useful later in life. Another skill he picked up at home was helping his mother cook and clean. Dorie wasn’t an exceptional student; he applied for the Civilian Conservation Corps but was not accepted. Having few job opportunities available, Doris decided to join the Navy.

The United States Navy had an off-and-on relationship with Black sailors. The Navy was one of the first of the Armed Services open to Black men. During the Revolutionary War (1775–1783), over 10% of the Continental Navy was African American. Many Black men joined the British Navy, relying on a promise they would be free if…

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