Doris Miller was a WWII hero to many. In a time when troops were segregated and opportunities were few for men and women of color, Miller didn't let racism stop him. He was the first African American to receive the Navy Cross for valor. A Mess Attendant 2nd Class in the Navy, he was stationed in Pearl Harbor when the Japanese attacked on Dec. 7, 1941. Without any prior training, he manned a machine gun on the USS West Virginia and returned fire against Japanese planes, even downing a few.
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