Congressman Bill Flores of Bryan was among those in Hawaii on Martin Luther King, Jr. day, as the U.S. Navy officially named the next aircraft carrier for Waco native Dorie Miller.
According to the U.S. Navy’s blog that includes archived video and more information about the U.S.S Doris Miller ceremony, Doris “Dorie” Miller saved the lives of his shipmates and then valiantly fought attacking Japanese forces during the Dec. 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor.
For those actions, Miller was the first African American to receive the Navy Cross for bravery.
Almost two years after his valor at Pearl Harbor, Miller gave his life for his country when his ship was sunk during another battle.
The USS Doris Miller (CVN 81) will be the first aircraft carrier named for an enlisted sailor and the first named for an African American.
Flores also noted the VA medical center in Waco is named for Miller.
Click below for comments from congressman Bill Flores, in comments provided by the U.S. Navy.

