HR0526 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0526 LRB101 14460 MST 63351 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, American Legion Department of Illinois Dorie Miller Post 915 is an organization of wartime veterans who have dedicated themselves to the service of their community, State, and nation and to honor U.S. Navy Seaman Doris "Dorie" Miller; and

WHEREAS, Dorie Miller Day was celebrated at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center on June 12, 2019 to recognize his valiant devotion to duty on December 7, 1941; and

WHEREAS, Dorie Miller was a U.S. Navy Messman aboard the USS West Virginia when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor; he pulled a wounded officer and several of his fellow shipmates to safety, and, without any formal training in naval gunnery, he then manned an anti-aircraft machine gun and shot down four enemy planes, while damaging several others; for this action and his heroic efforts, he was awarded the Navy Cross by Admiral Chester Nimitz; and

WHEREAS, Dorie Miller was one of the first heroes of World War II, and his heroism, in part, helped the movement to desegregate the Armed Forces by proving that African Americans were suitable for combat duty; and

WHEREAS, Dorie Miller, now known all over the country for his heroic actions aboard the USS West Virginia during the attack on Pearl Harbor, accepted a request to join the marketing efforts to raise war bonds; and

WHEREAS, After helping to raise financial support for the war, Dorie Miller requested to be transferred back to active battle; he was assigned to the USS Liscome Bay, where he eventually perished after it was hit by a Japanese torpedo; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we declare October 12, 2019 as Doris "Dorie" Miller Day in the State of Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Dorie Miller as a symbol of our respect and esteem.