What is the Doris D Miller Park?

Doris D Miller Park is a riverfront community park in downtown Waco, Texas, featuring a public monument and bronze sculpture of World War II hero Doris Miller.

What is the memorial at the park known for?

The memorial honors Doris Miller, the first African American to receive the Navy Cross for his bravery during the Pearl Harbor attack in 1941.

What does the memorial look like?

The memorial features a 9-foot-tall, 700-pound bronze sculpture of Doris Miller situated near the bow of a 170-by-30-foot layout with slanted walls shaped like a battleship hull.

Where is the park located?

The memorial is located at Martin Luther King Jr Blvd at Washington Ave in downtown Waco, Texas.

What should I check before going?

Use Gyde for context, then check official sources for current hours, tickets, construction, and closures.

Doris D Miller Park in Waco

Doris D Miller Park

A powerful downtown monument honoring World War II hero Doris Miller, the first African American to receive the Navy Cross, featuring a striking bronze sculpture and battleship-inspired architecture.

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What to know

The Doris Miller Memorial is a significant public art installation in downtown Waco, located along the banks of the Brazos River. The memorial's design is an intentional blend of urban design, architecture, and sculpture, intended to revitalize the riverfront community park and strengthen the connection between the east and west banks of the river. The site features a 9-foot-tall, 700-pound bronze sculpture of hometown hero Doris Miller, who was born in Waco in 1919. Miller's legacy is defined by his extraordinary courage during the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. Serving as a mess attendant—one of the few roles open to Black servicemen at the time—he helped ensure the safety of his crewmates before firing an anti-aircraft gun at Japanese aircraft. For his bravery, he became the first African American to win the Navy Cross, the Navy's third-highest honor. Following his heroic actions, Miller became an iconic symbol of the war for Black Americans. However, his service ended tragically when the USS Liscome Bay was sunk during the Battle of Makin, where he was killed in action. The memorial was dedicated in December 2017 on the anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack, and the site's architecture includes a 170-by-30-foot layout with slanted walls shaped like the hull of a battleship, reflecting his naval service.

Nearby context

Located at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr Blvd and Washington Ave, the memorial is part of downtown Waco's riverfront revitalization efforts to connect the city's urban center with the Brazos River.