Bill seeks Medal of Honor for Black Pearl Harbor hero passed over in 1941
In committeeH.R. 2335Latest action
Sponsor: Kweisi Mfume · Representative · MD
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Official title: To authorize the President to award the Medal of Honor to Doris Miller posthumously for acts of valor while a member of the Navy during World War II.
119th Congress
Topics: Security & foreign affairs
Introduced:
Read the official bill on Congress.govIn plain words
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HR 2335 would authorize the Medal of Honor for Navy sailor Doris Miller, whose 1941 bravery at Pearl Harbor was never fully recognized due to racial barriers.
55-second read · 4 questions answered below
What does this do?
HR 2335 asks Congress to approve the president awarding the Medal of Honor to Doris Miller, a Black Navy sailor who acted heroically during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Miller helped carry his mortally wounded captain to safety and fired a machine gun at enemy aircraft despite having no formal training on the weapon. Because Miller died in 1943 and decades have passed, a special law is required to bypass standard time limits on medal awards.
Who does it affect?
Miller's surviving family members and descendants would receive the Medal of Honor on his behalf. The bill also affects how the U.S. military officially records and honors Miller's service.
Why does it matter?
The bill notes that 15 other sailors received the Medal of Honor for similar actions at Pearl Harbor, none of whom were African American, and argues that racial barriers of the era prevented Miller from receiving full recognition at the time. Awarding the medal now would change the official military record to reflect that corrected recognition.
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Read the official bill on Congress.govMake the call
Where does it stand?
- IntroducedMar 25, 2025
- House committeeYou are here · Mar 25, 2025
- House vote
- Senate
- The president's desk
Right now: a House committee is reviewing it. If the Senate changes it, it goes back to the House before reaching the president.
Latest action: — Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.