WACO, TX — A bill has been introduced in congress to award the Medal of Honor to Doris Miller.
The bill was introduced to the house by Waco-native Eddie Bernice Johnson. Johnson represents the 30th congressional district in Texas.
When Johnson presented the bill to the house on Feb. 4, she said that she rises today during Black History Month to recognize the life and legacy of Doris Miller.
Miller was stationed on the USS West Virginia during the attack at Pearl Harbor. Once the attack began, Miller left his role in the kitchen to rescue shipmates and provide cover fire.
She said the news hit Waco when she was a little girl. She said she felt proud that he helped stop the Japanese, expecially because the U.S. military was segregated at the time.
CNN Anchor Jake Tapper said Miller was "barred from combat duties because he was black. He shined shoes, cleared tables and did laundry aboard a segregated battleship."
Recently, Miller was recognized by having a aircraft carrier named after him. The USS Miller will be the first aircraft carrier named for an African American sailor.
"It is appreciated, but it is not the Medal of Honor," Johnson said. "I have introduced H.R. 5549, the Doris Miller Medal of Honor Act of 2020. This bill would waive the statute of limitations to upgrade Miller's Navy Cross to the Medal of Honor."
