Doris Miller: The American Defender

In this special Memorial Day presentation of the Black Is America podcast, we explore the extraordinary life and enduring legacy of Doris "Dorie" Miller. From his humble beginnings in Waco, Texas, to his decision to join the Navy during a time of racial segregation, Dorie's story captivates and inspires.

 We first set the stage for his extraordinary path. Next, we delve into the events leading up to World War II and examine the impact of his choices. Then we highlight his heroic actions during the attack on Pearl Harbor, showcasing his bravery and resilience in the face of adversity. Lastly, we explore the recognition he received and the ultimate sacrifice he made aboard the USS Liscome Bay. We also introduce you to Charles Jackson French and his heroic actions aboard the USS Gregory during the attack. There's also the exploration of a "what if" scenario with Jackie Robinson at Pearl Harbor (yep, he was there too!)

This Memorial Day, we pay tribute to Dorie Miller's unwavering courage and honor his legacy as an American defender. Join us for this powerful and enlightening episode of the Black Is America podcast.

More information on what happened to Jesse Washington

The Black Is America podcast, a presentation of OWLS Education, was created and is written, researched, and produced by Dominic Lawson.

Executive Producer: Kenda Lawson

Cover art was created by Alexandria Eddings of Art Life Connections. 

Sources to create this episode include Naval History and Heritage Command, CBS News, Infographics Show, ESPN’s Down and Distance Podcast with Ivan Maisel,  the Brookings Institute, Waco History.com

Scenes from the movie Peal Harbor are courtesy of Touchstone Films and Jerry Bruckheimer Films and is distributed by Buena Vista Pictures.

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For a full transcript of this episode and other resources, go to www.blackisamericapodcast.com. There you can read our blog, leave us a review, or you can leave a voicemail where you can ask a question or let us know what you think about the show that we may play in an episode.