Summary of H.R. 2335: Doris Miller Medal of Honor Act

Overview

This bill would authorize the President to posthumously award the Medal of Honor to Doris Miller, a Navy sailor who demonstrated heroic actions during the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 during World War II. The Medal of Honor is the United States' highest military decoration, awarded for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life in actual combat against an enemy of the United States.

Key Provisions

• Directs the President to award the Medal of Honor posthumously to Doris Miller for his actions on December 7, 1941 during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
• Miller, who was an African American Navy cook at the time, manned an anti-aircraft gun on the USS West Virginia and is credited with shooting down several Japanese aircraft despite not being trained to operate the weapon.
• Recognizes Miller's bravery and actions as an important contribution to the U.S. war effort, even though he was not a commissioned officer.

Potential Impact

• Posthumously honoring Miller with the Medal of Honor would represent a significant recognition of his heroism and service, as well as the contributions of African American service members during WWII.
• This could help highlight and honor the often overlooked roles and sacrifices of minority service members, especially in the segregated military of that era.
• The award may also raise public awareness of Miller's story and the barriers faced by African Americans in the armed forces at the time.

Procedural Considerations

• The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on March 25, 2025 and has been referred to the House Armed Services Committee for consideration.
• If passed by Congress and signed into law by the President, the Medal of Honor award would be presented posthumously to Miller's family.

Overall, this legislation seeks to properly recognize the heroism and sacrifice of Doris Miller, an African American sailor who distinguished himself during one of the most pivotal moments in American military history.