About This School

Doris Miller Elementary School was dedicated on April 28, 1976.

Our school is named after Doris Miller, an African-American sailor who was a hero during the attack on Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941, and who later lost his life in the service of his country. During the attack on Pearl Harbor, bombs smashed the deck of the battleship “West Virginia” on which Messman Third Class Miller was serving. One struck the bridge and mortally wounded the “West Virginia’s” commander. Knocked down by the explosion, Miller scrambled to his feet and carried the injured officer to cover.

As a hail of bullets laced the battleship’s deck, Miller raced to an unmanned machine gun, even though he had not been trained in the use of the weapon. Despite this, Miller blasted away at the enemy, and before the battle ended he had shot down four enemy planes.

Doris Miller was awarded the Navy’s highest honor, the Navy Cross, which was personally presented by Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz. Less than two years later, Doris Miller lost his life when the ship on which he was serving was sunk by an enemy submarine.

In  addition to the Navy Cross, Miller was entitled to the Purple Heart Medal; the American Defense Service Medal, Fleet Clasp; the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal; and the World War II Victory Medal.

Doris Miller gave his life so that all Americans could enjoy some measure of freedom, justice and equality of opportunity.