This bill authorizes the President to posthumously award the Medal of Honor to Navy serviceman Doris Miller for his valor during World War II, bypassing existing time limitations for the award.
Kweisi Mfume
Representative
MD-7
This bill authorizes the President to posthumously award the Medal of Honor to Doris Miller for his extraordinary heroism while serving in the Navy during World War II. The legislation specifically bypasses existing time limitations to recognize his valor at Pearl Harbor, where he saved lives and bravely manned a machine gun. Congress finds that Miller deserves the nation's highest military honor despite historical limitations on recognizing African American service members.
New Bill Authorizes Posthumous Medal of Honor for WWII Hero Doris Miller, Waiving Time Limits
This legislation is straightforward: it authorizes the President to award the Medal of Honor posthumously to Doris Miller for his acts of valor during World War II, specifically his heroism during the attack on Pearl Harbor. The crucial part of this bill, outlined in Section 2, is that it specifically waives the usual strict time limits for awarding the Medal of Honor, which are codified in title 10 of the U.S. Code. This step is necessary because Miller’s actions took place over 80 years ago, and without this waiver, the award process would be blocked by outdated administrative deadlines.
The Historical Oversight This Bill Corrects
To understand why this matters, you have to look at the context laid out in Section 1. Doris Miller was a Mess Attendant, Third Class, meaning the Navy limited him to service roles because of his race. Despite these restrictions, during the attack on Pearl Harbor, Miller was recognized for his extraordinary courage. He helped move his mortally wounded captain to safety and then manned an anti-aircraft machine gun—a weapon he had not been trained to use—until he was ordered to abandon ship. For this, he received the Navy Cross, the second-highest honor, but not the Medal of Honor.
Congress notes that 15 other sailors received the Medal of Honor for similar actions during the Pearl Harbor attack, but none were African American. Miller died in action later in 1943 aboard the USS Liscome Bay. This bill is about correcting a clear historical disparity, giving Miller the highest recognition the nation can offer, decades after the fact. It’s a move to ensure that the ultimate recognition of valor transcends historical barriers and administrative red tape.
What This Means in the Real World
For most people, this legislation doesn't change their daily commute or their tax bill. But it carries significant weight for veterans, military families, and anyone who cares about historical accuracy and civil rights. It signals that the nation is willing to revisit history and ensure that exceptional bravery is recognized, regardless of the systemic discrimination the service member faced at the time. Essentially, this bill says that the highest honor shouldn't be blocked by a technicality, especially when the historical record points to a clear injustice. It’s a symbolic but powerful act of accountability, ensuring that Miller’s story is finally complete and officially recognized at the highest level.