|
|
|
About
Us
|
|
|
|
|
-
Robert
L. Davis - Commander: email
-
Gary D. Whyte - Sr. Vice Commander:
email
-
Abraham Garron, Jr. - Jr. Vice Commander:
email
-
Edward Murray - Adjutant:
email
-
Allen J. Kirkpatrick - Finance Officer:
email
-
James A. Franklin - Service Officer:
email
-
Danny Eison - Chaplain:
email
-
Miles Smith - Judge Advocate:
email
-
Franklin D. Hayes, Jr - Historian:
email
-
Larry
Forniss, Jr. - Sergeant-At-Arms: email
-
Biographical
Sketch of 2008 Post 915 Officers (Coming Soon)
-
Past
Commanders
|
|
|
|
The American Legion was chartered by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic, mutual-help, war-time veterans organization. A community-service organization which now numbers nearly 3 million members -- men and women -- in nearly 15,000 American Legion Posts worldwide. These Posts are organized into 55 Departments -- one each for the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, France, Mexico, and the Philippines.
|
|
|
|
The charter authorizing the formation of Dorie Miller Post # 915, State of Illinois, American Legion was issued on the eighteenth day of July 1946. This issuance came nine months after the founding Post members applied. The original application was submitted on October 24, 1945, approximately two years following the death of Doris “Dorie” Miller. The charter issuance to Dorie Miller Post #915 was subsequently approved at the national organization meeting in 1946.
|
|
|
|
African-American soldiers played a significant role in World War II. More than half a million served in Europe. Despite the numbers they faced racial discrimination: prior to the war the military maintained a racially segregated force. In studies by the military, blacks were often classified as unfit for combat and were not allowed on the front lines. They were mostly given support duties.
|
|
|
|
World War II “Navy Cross Recipient” Mess Attendant Doris Miller broke all segregation rules on December 7, 1941. He was serving aboard the battleship USS West Virginia (BB-48), when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. While under viscous attack, Dorie carried wounded fellow sailors to places of safety and then went to the aid of the mortally wounded Captain of the ship. He is credited with shooting down several Japanese planes with a machine gun from the deck of the U.S.S. West Virginia during the attack on Pearl Harbor. If you don’t know the story from history—Cuba Gooding Jr. portrayed this African America war hero in the movie Pearl Harbor.
|
|
|
|
When news of his actions reached the public, the African American community saw his as their symbol of patriotism and pride. They wanted him to give speeches, named Boys Clubs and Schools after him, and started a write-in campaign to have President Roosevelt admit him to the Naval Academy. Although he was never allowed to attend the Naval Academy, Miller was decorated for bravery—but he was never awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.
|
|
|
|
African American Veterans in Chicago shared this pride and applied for an American Legion Post to be named in Dorie’s honor. Benjamin F. Jack served as the Post First Commander in 1945 and 1946. Since 1945 there have been 39 Post Commanders fulfilling The American Legions’ creed and keeping Dorie’s heroism alive.
|
|
|
|
Click to read our Preamble to the Constitution
|
|
|
|
Post
915 Goals
|
|
|
-
Raise donations to begin erecting the American Legion Dorie Miller Post #915 and Center on Chicago’s Southside.
|
-
To commemorate, honor and raise public awareness about Ship Cook Third Class Doris “Dorie” Miller.
|
-
The Medal of Honor is the nation's highest military award for bravery. It is awarded by the President in the name of Congress. For this reason, it is often referred to as the Congressional Medal of Honor. Since it was first awarded in 1863, 3,409 individuals have been awarded this medal. Nineteen individuals have been double recipients of the award. It is our goal to see that Doris “Dorie” Miller’s receives this honor posthumously for his heroic actions during the attack on Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941.
|
-
The new American Legion Dorie Miller Post 915 & Memorial Community Center will expose our children and youth to a variety of technology, educational, sport and recreational activities to develop and promote social growth.
|
-
In addition to the Legion own programs, we plan to collaborate with many organizations serving Veterans, the youth, and the elderly, by providing legal, health, social, educational and cultural services that benefit all.
|
