Museum program to spotlight Pearl Harbor hero Nov. 8

The Milford Museum American History Series will present Dante Brizill speaking on “Dorie Miller: Hero of Pearl Harbor” at 1 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 8, at Milford Public Library, 11 SE Front St., Milford.

Serving as a mess attendant aboard the USS West Virginia during the Pearl Harbor attack Dec. 7, 1941, Miller helped move his mortally wounded captain to safety before taking control of a machine gun and returning fire at the attacking Japanese aircraft. To honor his bravery, Miller was the first African American to be awarded the Navy Cross in 1942. He became an important figure for civil rights and equality when his story was heavily publicized in the Black press. In 1943, Miller was killed in action when his ship, the escort carrier USS Liscome Bay, was sunk by a torpedo. Miller has been honored with multiple namesakes, including the USS Miller frigate, the Doris “Dorie” Miller Memorial Park in Waco, Texas, and, in 2020, the aircraft carrier USS Doris Miller (CVN-81).

Currently teaching at Polytech High School, Brizill has been a social studies educator in Delaware and Maryland for the past 19 years. A Philadelphia native, he has a bachelor of arts degree in history from Hampton University and a master of education degree from Wesley College. A published author, Brizill has written a series titled “Greatness Under Fire” that highlights African American heroes of World War II.

Sponsored by the Milford Museum, these monthly programs focus on a variety of topics concerning local, state and national history. For more information, contact the museum at 302-424-1080 or email tom@milfordDEmuseum.org. The programs are offered through a generous grant from the Delaware Heritage Commission.