... the Red- Tail Angels because of the red markings on the tails of their aircraft. (McKissack 12) On December 7,1941 one of the first American heroes was a black man. Dorie Miller was a messman on the U.S.S. West Virginia. As black smoke and yellow flames poured out of nearby battleships, Japanese fighter planes were overhead. One came directly towards the West Virginia, and ... scattered bullets at the ship. The men scattered to their battle stations, as the shot were being fired. At one point, the commander of the ship had been shot, and Miller was asked to carry the commander below dec...

• Word Count: 2547
• Approx Pages: 10
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School