Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas (WACO TX) - In a ceremony earlier today the Waco VA Medical Center was officially renamed the Doris Miller Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Last year Congressman Bill Flores (R-Texas) and Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas) were successful in getting a bill signed into law authorizing the renaming of the medical center after World War II hero and Waco native Doris Miller.
Today we paid tribute to one of Americas heroes from the Greatest Generation Doris Miller of Waco. Congress has a proud tradition of honoring our nations heroes by dedicating VA facilities to those who show outstanding commitment to service and sacrifice for our country Congressman Flores said. Doris Millers actions during the attack on Pearl Harbor led him to be recognized as one of the first heroes of World War II distinguishing himself as a great African American hero in U.S. history. By naming the VA medical center after Wacos own hometown hero we further preserve the memory of Doris Millers outstanding valor and duty for generations to come.
Americans are blessed with freedom only because of the sacrifices our heroes in uniform have made for us. Here in Waco as we seek to improve care for our warriors today we must also do everything we can to preserve the memory of those who have given the ultimate sacrifice and laid down their lives for our country. I am proud to have worked with the Waco Veterans Committee Waco Mayor Malcolm Duncan Congressman Bill Flores and other community leaders to secure this tribute to Wacos native son Chief Petty Officer Doris Miller said Senator Cornyn.
Petty Officer Doris Miller served in the U.S. Navy from 1939-1943. He was assigned to the
USS West Virginia as a mess attendant. While under heavy enemy fire during the attack on Pearl Harbor Miller rescued Captain Mervyn Bennion who had been mortally wounded and then manned an anti-aircraft machine gun. He returned fire upon the enemy until he was out of ammunition and reportedly downed one to three enemy planes. In the final moments before the ship sank Miller continued his heroism by carrying many of his wounded shipmates to safety saving the lives several sailors in the process. In recognition of his heroism Miller was awarded the Navy Cross the second highest military decoration for valor. Miller was also awarded a Purple Heart Medal American Defense Service Medal Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal and World War II Victory Medal. Miller would continue his WWII service aboard the
USS Liscome Bay during Operation Galvanic. On November 24 1943 a Japanese submarine struck the carrier and within minutes the vessel sank. Miller was one of the 646 sailors that lost their lives that day aboard the
USS Liscome Bay.
