World War II pin honouring Pearl Harbour hero Doris "Dorie" Miller (October 12, 1919 – November 24, 1943) was a cook in the United States Navy noted for his bravery during the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. He was the first African American to be awarded the Navy Cross, the third highest honor awarded by the U.S. Navy at the time, after the Medal of Honor and the Navy Distinguished Service Medal (today the Navy Cross precedes the Navy Distinguished Service Medal). Miller took over a machine gun aboard the USS West Virginia and was officially credited with downing two Japanese planes. He was honored as one of the first heroes of World War II, and six months after the attack was given the Navy Cross by Admiral Chester Nimitz.
Source: museumofworldwarii.com