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.
- Bill Number
- H.R. 2335
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-03-25: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-11T23:26:33Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This legislation aims to posthumously award the Medal of Honor—the highest U.S. military decoration for valor—to Doris Miller, an African American Navy sailor who demonstrated extraordinary bravery during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. It seeks to formally recognize his heroism, which was previously honored with the Navy Cross, amid historical racial barriers that limited combat roles and awards for Black service members.
Key Provisions
- Findings (Section 1): The bill outlines Congress's recognition of Miller's background and actions, including:
- His assignment to non-combat roles due to Navy policies excluding African Americans from combat.
- His assistance in rescuing wounded crew members, including moving his mortally wounded captain to safety amid enemy fire.
- Manning an anti-aircraft machine gun against Japanese aircraft, despite lacking formal training.
- The delayed public acknowledgment of his role (initially as an "unnamed Negro" in Navy reports) until advocacy by the NAACP in 1942.
- His receipt of the Navy Cross from Admiral Chester Nimitz in 1942 and his death in action in 1943 aboard the USS Liscome Bay.
- The fact that none of the 15 Medals of Honor awarded for Pearl Harbor actions went to African American sailors.
- Authorization (Section 2): The President is explicitly authorized to award the Medal of Honor to Miller under 10 U.S.C. § 8291, overriding statutory time limits (e.g., those in 10 U.S.C. §§ 8298(a) and 8300) that generally require medals to be awarded within a certain period after the act of valor.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
The bill waives time restrictions in U.S. Code that normally bar awards of certain medals long after the qualifying events (World War II ended in 1945). This creates a narrow exception specifically for Miller, allowing a posthumous upgrade from the Navy Cross to the Medal of Honor without altering broader medal-award rules.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The Department of Defense and Navy may need to coordinate the ceremonial presentation (likely to Miller's family), updating records and potentially influencing future reviews of historical awards. No major operational changes are required.
- On Citizens: Provides symbolic recognition that could inspire education about military history, particularly the contributions and challenges faced by African American service members. It may encourage similar recognitions for overlooked veterans.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though it reinforces U.S. commitments to honoring wartime valor, potentially enhancing the nation's image in discussions of military history with allies like those involved in Pacific theater commemorations.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Doris Miller's Family and Estate: Direct beneficiaries of the posthumous award, gaining formal national recognition.
- African American Community and Veterans' Groups: Highlights racial inequities in past military honors, benefiting organizations like the NAACP that advocated for Miller.
- U.S. Military (Navy and Department of Defense): Responsible for implementing the award, with potential effects on morale and diversity initiatives.
- Congress and the President: Sponsors (e.g., Rep. Mfume and cosponsors) and the executive branch play key roles in passage and execution.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The waiver of time limits is a targeted congressional override of statutory deadlines, permissible under Congress's authority to regulate military awards (Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution). It sets no broad precedent but could invite similar bills for other historical figures.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's power to "make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces," ensuring equitable application of honors without violating equal protection principles.
- Political: Addresses historical injustices in military recognition, potentially advancing discussions on racial equity in defense policy. As a bipartisan-supported bill (introduced March 25, 2025, in the 119th Congress), it reflects low controversy but underscores ongoing efforts to rectify past discrimination in the armed forces.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (12)
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Rep. Brown, Shontel M. [D-OH-11], Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7], Rep. Connolly, Gerald E. [D-VA-11], Rep. Crockett, Jasmine [D-TX-30], Rep. Sewell, Terri A. [D-AL-7], Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9], Rep. Lynch, Stephen F. [D-MA-8], Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Bell, Wesley [D-MO-1]
Recent Actions
- 2025-03-25: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
- 2025-03-25: Introduced in House
- 2025-03-25: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- 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. — issued 2025-03-25 — PDF (4 pages)