Pearl Harbor 1941: Doris Miller's Courage and the USS West Virginia's Sinking and Revival
December 7, 1941: The Attack on USS West Virginia
On the morning of December 7, 1941, Messman Doris Miller aboard the USS West Virginia was serving breakfast and handling laundry when the surprise Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor began. The battleship, moored at Battleship Row alongside USS Tennessee, was hit by six torpedoes and two bombs, causing it to sink and resulting in significant loss of life.
Heroism Amidst Chaos
Doris Miller’s actions during the attack became emblematic of courage under fire. Despite his duties as a messman, Miller manned anti-aircraft guns and helped save many crew members, demonstrating extraordinary bravery. The ship’s crew faced immense challenges as the West Virginia took on water and fire, yet their efforts delayed total destruction.
Recovery and Legacy
Salvaged in 1942, the USS West Virginia underwent extensive repairs and modernization, returning to serve in pivotal Pacific battles. The story of that fateful morning remains a powerful reminder of sacrifice and resilience in American naval history.
About the Organizations Mentioned
USS West Virginia
The **USS West Virginia** refers primarily to two distinguished United States Navy ships named after the 35th state, West Virginia, each with notable roles in naval history and national defense. The first and historically prominent **USS West Virginia (BB-48)** was a Colorado-class battleship commissioned in 1923. It played a significant role in World War II, famously surviving the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 despite being bombed and torpedoed. After extensive repairs and modernization, it participated in major Pacific Theater battles, including Leyte Gulf, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa, contributing to the Allied victory. The battleship was decommissioned in 1947 and eventually scrapped in 1959, with parts preserved as memorials, such as the mainmast displayed at West Virginia University[3][4][5][6][9]. The current **USS West Virginia (SSBN-736)** is an Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine commissioned in 1990, representing a vital component of the U.S. strategic nuclear deterrent. Built by General Dynamics Electric Boat, it is equipped with 24 missile tubes capable of launching Trident II (D-5) ballistic missiles, as well as torpedo tubes for defense. The submarine operates primarily from Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, the only East Coast base supporting the Trident missile fleet. USS West Virginia (SSBN-736) is crewed by two alternating crews (Blue and Gold) to maintain continuous deployment and readiness. Its mission centers on strategic deterrence, ensuring national security through stealth and second-strike capability[1]. Together, these ships symbolize the evolution of U.S. naval power from battleship dominance in the early 20th century to modern nuclear deterrence in the 21st century. The battleship USS West Virginia is celebrated for its resilience and combat service in WWII, while the submarine USS West Virginia exemplifies cutting-edge technology in strategic defense and undersea warfare. Both hold
USS Tennessee
USS Tennessee refers primarily to two notable U.S. Navy vessels with rich histories and significant technological and military contributions. The **USS Tennessee (SSBN-734)** is an Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine commissioned on December 17, 1988. It is the fourth ship and first submarine named Tennessee and serves as a strategic nuclear deterrent vessel assigned to the U.S. Atlantic Fleet, homeported at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Georgia. The submarine was constructed by General Dynamics' Electric Boat Division, featuring advanced stealth and missile-launch capabilities designed for long-term strategic deterrence. Tennessee operates as part of the U.S. Navy's fleet ballistic missile submarines, equipped with Trident II (D-5) missiles, which are pivotal for national security and nuclear deterrence strategy[1]. Historically, the **USS Tennessee (BB-43)** was a Tennessee-class dreadnought battleship launched in 1919 and commissioned in 1920. It was the lead ship of her class and notable for being the first American battleship designed with electric drive propulsion. She served extensively in the Atlantic and Pacific, undergoing modernization in 1943 that transformed her into a formidable warship with enhanced weapons and protection systems. Tennessee was present during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, where she sustained damage from bombs and fires but remained operational after repairs. During World War II, she supported key Pacific campaigns, including the Aleutian Islands, Gilbert and Marshall Islands, and Mariana and Palau Islands campaigns, providing crucial naval gunfire support. The ship notably participated in the Battle of Surigao Strait, the last battleship-to-battleship engagement in history, before being decommissioned and scrapped in 1959[2][3][4][5]. In summary, the USS Tennessee name has been borne by vessels that highlight technological advancements in naval warfare—from early 20th-century battleship innovations to late 20th-century nuclear deterrence
