Doris Miller Congressional Gold Medal Act Honors Pearl Harbor Hero, Ensures Public Display at Smithsonian

This legislation, officially titled the Doris Miller Congressional Gold Medal Act, authorizes the posthumous presentation of the Congressional Gold Medal to Doris Miller. Miller was an African-American sailor whose extraordinary bravery during the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, earned him the Navy Cross, despite the military's restrictive policies at the time. The bill mandates that the Secretary of the Treasury will strike the medal, and Congressional leadership—the Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate—will handle the presentation arrangements (SEC. 3).

The Medal’s Journey: From Mint to Museum

This isn't just about giving out a medal; it’s about making sure this piece of history is preserved and accessible. The Act specifically requires that the Congressional Gold Medal, once presented, must be given to the Smithsonian Institution. The Smithsonian is then tasked with displaying it when appropriate and making it available for research (SEC. 3). For everyday people, this means that a significant artifact recognizing a critical moment in both military and civil rights history won't just disappear into a private collection, but will be available for public viewing, potentially even at museums connected to Miller’s life, as Congress hopes.

Self-Funding the Honor: Bronze Duplicates

To manage the costs of production, the bill includes a smart, self-sustaining funding mechanism. The Secretary of the Treasury is authorized to mint and sell bronze duplicate medals (SEC. 4). The catch is that the price of these duplicates must be set high enough to cover all production costs, including labor, materials, and overhead. The initial money to strike the gold medal comes from the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund, and all proceeds from selling the bronze copies go right back into that fund (SEC. 6). Essentially, if you buy a bronze duplicate, you’re helping to pay for the historical recognition itself, ensuring the honor doesn't rely on a direct new appropriation of taxpayer dollars.

A Nod to History and Procedure

This bill explicitly recognizes the historical context of Miller’s service, noting he faced serious limitations due to racial restrictions—he was initially recognized only as an “unnamed Negro” until public pressure forced formal recognition (SEC. 2). By authorizing the highest civilian award, the Act formally elevates this recognition. Procedurally, the medals struck under this Act are designated as “national medals” and classified as “numismatic items” for sales purposes, which means they fall under standard federal rules for collectible coins and commemorative items (SEC. 5). This is a clean, procedural bill focused entirely on historical recognition and ensuring the resulting artifact is properly managed and displayed for the public.