CVN-81 is the second US warship named after Cook Third Class Doris Miller, USN, who was killed in action in November 1943.

Doris ("Dorie") Miller, USN, was born in Waco, Texas, on 12 October 1919. He enlisted in the Navy in September 1939 as a Mess Attendant Third Class. On 7 December 1941, while serving aboard USS West Virginia (BB-48), he distinguished himself by courageous conduct and devotion to duty during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. He was awarded the Navy Cross for his actions on this occasion. (This Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives, #80-G-408456, shows Mess Attendant Second Class Miller just after being presented with the Navy Cross by Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, aboard USS Enterprise (CV-6) at Pearl Harbor, 27 May 1942.)

Doris Miller served aboard USS Indianapolis (CA-35) from December 1941 to May 1943. He was then assigned to the new escort carrier USS Liscome Bay (CVE-56). Cook Third Class Miller was lost with that ship when she was torpedoed by Japanese submarine I-175 on 24 November 1943, during the invasion of the Gilbert Islands.

NS0602109104: Destroyer escort, later frigate, USS Miller (DE-1091, later FF-1091), commissioned in 1973 and decommissioned in 1991, was named after him.

ADM Chester W. Nimitz, USN, Commander-in-Chief, Pacific Fleet, pins the Navy Cross on SC2/c Doris Miller. Other awards and commendation letters were also given by the admiral.

Naval History & Heritage Command (NH&HC) photo, # NH 62656.

Artwork by Charles H. Alston, on Doris Miller, Elvin Bell, and Charles J. French, for their heroism during World War II.

Courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), image # 208-COM-226.

Doris Miller was awarded the Navy Cross:

"The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Mess Attendant First Class Doris Miller (NSN: 3561235), United States Navy, for exceptional courage, presence of mind, and devotion to duty and disregard for his personal safety while serving on board the Battleship U.S.S. WEST VIRGINIA (BB-48), during the Japanese attack on the United States Pacific Fleet in Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii, on 7 December 1941. While at the side of his Captain on the bridge of the battleship U.S.S. WEST VIRGINIA, Mess Attendant First Class Doris Miller, despite enemy strafing and bombing and in the face of a serious fire, assisted in moving his Captain, who had been mortally wounded, to a place of greater safety, and later manned and operated a machine gun directed at enemy Japanese attacking aircraft until ordered to leave the bridge. The conduct of Mess Attendant First Class Miller throughout this action reflects great credit upon himself, and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

Elvin Bell was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal:

"The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Machinist's Apprentice Third Class Elvin Bell (NSN: 6460419), United States Navy, for heroism involving voluntary risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy, while serving aboard the Aircraft Carrier U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-2), on 8 May 1942, during the Battle of the Coral Sea. Machinist's Apprentice Third Class Bell voluntarily joined a repair party fighting fire in an area frequented by violent explosions of gasoline vapor and ammunition and, although emerging in an exhausted condition, unhesitatingly entered the most dangerous section of the stricken carrier and assisted in removing injured personnel who had been trapped below decks. His courage and utter disregard for his own safety were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

Charles Jackson French received a Letter of Commendation from ADM William F. Halsey, Jr., at the time Commander, South Pacific Area:

"For meritorious conduct in action while serving on board of a destroyer transport [USS GREGORY (APD-3)] which was badly damaged during the engagement with Japanese forces in the British Solomon Islands on September 5, 1942. After the engagement, a group of about fifteen men were adrift on a raft, which was being deliberately shelled by Japanese naval forces. French tied a line to himself and swam for more than two hours without rest, thus attempting to tow the raft. His conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service."

(See The Story of Charles Jackson French, by Bruce Wigo, for further information.)

Doris Miller, Navy Cross Recipient for Pearl Harbor, poster. Photographed from small reference card.

U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration, # 428-GX-KN 18090.

Cartoon showing Miller defending the fleet at Pearl Harbor, used for recruitment purposes.

U.S Rep. Eddie Bernice-Johnson, left, from the 30th Congressional district of Texas, delivers remarks during the unveiling of the new Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carrier USS Doris Miller (CVN-81) at a Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration event at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, as Acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas B. Modly looks on.

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication 2nd Class Justin R. Pacheco (# 200120-N-NU281-1122).

Acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas B. Modly delivers remarks during the unveiling of the new Ford-class aircraft carrier Doris Miller (CVN-81) at a Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration event at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, 20 January 2020. This will be the second ship named in honor of Miller and the first aircraft carrier named for an African-American and an enlisted Sailor. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication 2nd Class Justin R. Pacheco (# 200120-N-NU281-1265).

Family members of late Ship's Cook 3rd Class Doris Miller unveil a plaque commemorating the future Navy ship, the Ford-class aircraft carrier USS Doris Miller (CVN‑81), at a Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration event at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, 20 January 2020. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Justin R. Pacheco (# 200120-N-NU281-1208).

ADM John C. Aquilino, front, commander of U.S. Pacific Fleet, and Acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas B. Modly depart the stage following the unveiling of the new Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carrier, the future USS Doris Miller (CVN-81), at a Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration event at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication 2nd Class Justin R. Pacheco (# 200120-N-NU281-1277).

Brenda Haven, niece of World War II hero Doris "Dorie" Miller, hugs Acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas B. Modly after the unveiling of the new Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carrier USS Doris Miller (CVN-81), 20 January 2020.

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Alexander C. Kubitza (# 200120-N-PM193-2283).

Emrys Bledsoe, bottom, great-great-grandnephew of World War II hero Doris "Dorie" Miller, attempts to cut a cake next to Acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas B. Modly, third from left; Mrs. Robyn Modly, left; Rep. Eddie Bernice-Johnson, right; and other Miller relatives at a Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration event on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, 20 January 2020. The ceremony ended after the unveiling of the future Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carrier USS Doris Miller (CVN-81).

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Alexander C. Kubitza (# 200120-N-PM193-2419).

Huntington Ingalls Industries hosted a ceremonial event at its Newport News Shipbuilding division, 25 August 2021, that marked the first construction milestone in the life of the aircraft carrier Doris Miller (CVN-81).

During a small ceremony held inside of a manufacturing facility, Thomas Bledsoe, the great nephew of the ship's namesake, gave the order to "cut that steel" to shipbuilder Gerald Bish, who operated a large plasma-cutting machine that sliced into a steel plate. Shipbuilders, U.S. Navy leadership, elected officials and Doris Miller's relatives signed their names on the plate.

NS028102: Newport News Shipbuilding photo by Ashley Cowan, # DCS21-300-524.

Challenge Coin, USS Doris Miller (CVN-81).