Doris Miller, Mess Attendant in segregated U.S. Navy from Waco, Texas went above and beyond his duties on December 7, 1941 when Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor just by virtue of manning machine gun for which he had no training. That act of bravery is one of the criteria for receiving the Medal of Honor. Miller would not have been blamed had he not manned that gun and fired on the Japanese attack planes because as a cook having no military training in using a machine gun, it was not expected of him. Ignoring his own safety, he helped his Captain and others get to safety. Again, this fits another criteria for the Medal of Honor which speaks to conspicuous bravery and self-sacrifice.
Doris Miller, though African American, was an early, legitimate WWII HERO, who deserves the Medal of Honor!!