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December 6, 2024

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A Date Which Will Live in Infamy: Heroes of Pearl Harbor

“Yesterday, December 7, 1941 — a date which will live in infamy — the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt

Hi Reader, welcome to this week's special edition of This Week in History. As we mark the 83nd anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack, we take this day to honor those who fell and those who displayed heroic bravery amidst the chaos of the attack. Join us as we dive into one of the most infamous events that led to the US's involvement in World War II.

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Hero Aboard The USS West Virginia

Doris “Dorie” Miller was a US Naval cook who became a Black recipient of the Navy Cross and a nominee for his actions during the Pearl Harbor attack on December 7, 1941. Dorie, despite not being trained in weapons, manned an anti-air gun and defended his carrier from incoming Japanese fighters, taking down several aircraft. Miller became a hero for his courageous actions, gaining nationwide recognition.

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Before enlisting in the US Navy, Miller came from humble roots. Born on October 12, 1919, to Conery and Henrietta Miller, sharecroppers from Waco, Texas, he was the third of four sons. Dorie contributed to household chores, cooked meals, did laundry, and worked on the family farm. Dorie attended Waco’s Moore High School, where he stood out as a battering ram fullback on his high school football team. Despite his stature, being 6’3 and 200 lbs, he was a soft-spoken and courteous man, simply working on his father’s farm when not in school. Hoping to travel and support his family financially, he enlisted in the US Navy as a mess attendant, one of the few ratings open to black sailors at the time, on September 16, 1939. Completing his training, he was stationed in Honolulu, Hawaii, aboard the USS West Virginia in January 1940.

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On the morning of December 7, 1941, as Miller conducted his routine duties and collected laundry below the deck of the West Virginia, chaos erupted when the carrier was hit by torpedoes at 7:57 a.m. The sounds of explosions, guns firing, and seamen shouting, “The Japs are attacking us!” filled the air. The “battle stations” alarm went off, and Miller rushed to his battle station, only to find it destroyed. All sailors rushed to do whatever they could to aid the wounded and save the burning and sinking ship.

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Using his strength, he carried several wounded men to safety, including the ship's captain, Mervyn Bennion, who tragically succumbed to his wounds. Miller then manned a .50-calibre antiaircraft gun, for which he had no training, and continued firing on the enemy until he ran out of ammunition. For several minutes he fired upon the attacking Japanese fighters and he is officially credited with taking down two fighters. As the assault on the Pacific Fleet drew to an end, Miller courageously continued to carry wounded sailors to safety until they were all given the order to abandon ship.

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Miller’s actions earned him the Navy Cross, presented by Chester Nimitz on May 27, 1942, citing his “distinguished devotion to duty, extraordinary courage, and disregard for his own personal safety during the attack on the fleet in Pearl Harbor.” Although nominated for a Medal of Honor, the segregation culture within the military dismissed the nomination. Nevertheless, he received the Purple Heart, the American Defense Service Medal with Fleet Clasp, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, and a World War II Victory Medal. Dorie Miller became a hero nationwide, particularly in the African-American community. Following the Pearl Harbor attack, Miller spent several months in the US on a war bond tour.

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On May 15, 1943, Miller returned to his naval duties, this time aboard the newly constructed carrier, Liscome Bay. After months of training aboard the new carrier, Liscome Bay set out to sea from Pearl Harbor on November 10, 1943, to join the Northern Task Force, Task Group 52. Miller’s carrier served as a convoy escort, providing aircraft intended for close air support during amphibious landing operations. The carrier set out in support of the Battle of Makin and on November 24, resulted in Allied victory. As the carrier celebrated the victory, as well as Thanksgiving, Liscome Bay was struck in the early dawn by a Japanese submarine torpedo, near Butaritari, fatally striking the carrier’s stock of torpedoes and weapons, resulting in a massive explosion. The ship sank within 20 minutes and tragically, Doris Miller was among those presumed dead. He was 24 years old. Two-thirds of the Liscome Bay perished, leaving only 272 survivors. Liscome Bay was the only ship lost in the Gilbert Islands operation.

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His parents were informed that he was missing in action on December 7, 1943. A memorial service was held for Miller on April 30, 1944, at the Second Baptist Church in Waco, Texas, and on May 28, a granite marker was dedicated at Moore High School in Waco to honor him. Miller was officially declared dead by the Navy on November 25, 1944, a year and a day after the loss of Liscome Bay. His sacrifice will never forgotten.

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The First In The Air

Kenneth M. Taylor was an American pilot and Ace who gained nationwide recognition for his act of bravery during the Pearl Harbor attack. Taylor was among the first pilots to successfully take off from the ground and engage Japanese fighters, claiming two aerial victories at the age of 22. His heroic actions during the attack earned him nationwide recognition as one of the heroes of Pearl Harbor, and he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and the Purple Heart. Taylor later commanded several squadrons while stationed in the United States and elsewhere, serving for 27 years of active duty.

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Born on December 23, 1919, in Enid, Oklahoma, and raised in Hominy, Oklahoma, Taylor graduated high school in 1938. Two years later, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps while attending the University of Oklahoma. In April 1941, Taylor completed his aviation training, attaining the rank of second lieutenant, and was assigned to the 47th Pursuit Squadron in Honolulu, Hawaii, by June 1941. Just two weeks later, he began flying the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk.

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On the evening before the Pearl Harbor attack, Taylor, along with his friend and fellow pilot, George Welch, celebrated the night at the officer’s club in Wheeler Field, Oahu, Hawaii. After the event, the two pilots joined an all-night poker game. Despite managing to go to sleep by 6 a.m., they were in for a rude awakening at around 7:51 am. Taylor and Welch were quickly awakened by the deafening sound of low-flying planes, machine gun fire, and explosions. The two pilots learned that two-thirds of the planes at the main bases of Hickam and Wheeler Fields had been destroyed or damaged so badly that they were unable to fly, prompting them to spring into action.

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Without orders, Taylor called Haleiwa Auxiliary Air Field, where eighteen Curtiss P-40 fighters were located, and ordered the ground crew to arm and ready two planes for takeoff. Taylor and Welch, still wearing their tuxedo pants from the night before, drove 11 miles to Haleiwa, reaching speeds of 100 mph along the way. From there, both Taylor and Welch managed to take off from their P-40 Warhawks and engage the incoming second wave of Japanese fighters.

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Outnumbered and outgunned, both pilots engaged the attackers, each successfully downing dive bombers. Taylor and Welch went into the air twice, only landing to reload their weapons under intense Japanese gunfire. Back in the air, Taylor was lightly wounded by enemy gunfire amidst the chaos. In a later interview, he stated it was more of a startle than a cause for concern. Both pilots continued their battle in the skies, expending once again all of their ammunition as Japanese fighters returned to their carriers, bringing an end to the attack. In a 2003 interview, Taylor reflected on his actions: "I wasn't in the least bit terrified, and let me tell you why: I was too young and too stupid to realize that I was in a lot of danger."

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For their heroic actions on December 7, 1941, both Taylor and Welch were quickly recognized as two of the first heroes of World War II. Both were awarded the Distinguished Service Cross on January 8, 1942. Subsequently, Taylor received the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Air Medal, and a Purple Heart for injuries he sustained. Both men were recommended for the Medal of Honor, but they were turned down due to taking off without orders.

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After the Pearl Harbor attack, Taylor was assigned to the 44th Fighter Squadron and went to the South Pacific at Henderson Field on Guadalcanal. During his service in the Pacific, he recorded an additional 3 aerial victories, officially making him an Ace by December 1943. Unfortunately, his flying career was cut short due to a leg injury sustained during an air raid while stationed in Guadalcanal. Taylor returned to the US and began training pilots for combat missions soon after. By the end of the war, Taylor had reached the rank of Major.

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Despite being unable to fly, he furthered his career in the US Air Force, becoming a tactical evaluator at the USAF Inspector General’s office and working in the Pentagon. In 1967, after 27 years of service, Taylor retired from the USAF with the rank of Colonel. Thereafter, he served in the Alaska Air National Guard as the Assistant Adjutant General, retiring fully as a Brigadier General in 1971. After a long and successful life, Kenneth M. Taylor passed away on November 25, 2006, at the age of 86.

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"No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory." - Franklin D. Roosevelt