Doris Miller, American cook and soldier (died 1943)

Doris "Dorie" Miller was a U.S. Navy sailor who was the first black recipient of the Navy Cross and a nominee for the Medal of Honor. As a mess attendant second class aboard the battleship USS West Virginia, Miller helped carry wounded sailors to safety during the attack on Pearl Harbor. He then manned an anti-aircraft gun and, despite no prior training in gunnery, officially shot down one plane, but Miller and other eyewitnesses claimed a range of four to six.

October 12 is the 285th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar; 80 days remain until the end of the year.