He spent his free time studying for a correspondence course in taxidermy and squirrel hunting with a .22 rifle. He submitted his application to the Civilian Conservation Corps, but it was rejected.

He stood 6 feet 3 inches (1.91 m) tall and weighed more than 200 pounds at the time (91 kg). Miller's nickname "Dorie" may have come from a spelling error; he continued to labour on his father's farm until just before turning 20. 

On 7th December 1941, he was nominated to receive recognition for his actions, and on 14th March 1942, the Pittsburgh Courier published an article identifying him as "Dorie Miller." After that, some authors said it was a "nickname to shipmates and pals."

The location where the fore-to-aft and port-to-starboard passageways crossed on the ship was nicknamed "Times Square" - after the famous and bustling New York City location.  Miller arrived here and declared himself available for duty, eager to help as best he could.

He was then given the responsibility of helping to transport injured sailors to locations that offered them more security. 

Despite the chaos around him, Miller performed his duties calmly and efficiently.

Miller was then ordered to accompany Lieutenant Commander Doir C. Johnson, the ship's communications officer, to the conning tower on the flag bridge to help move Mervyn Bennion, the captain, who had a gaping wound in his abdomen.

He appeared to have been struck by shrapnel from a bomb which struck the USS Tenenessee which was docked next to the West Virginia following the initial Japanese attack.

Miller had been instructed by Lieutenant Frederic H. White to assist him and Ensign Victor Delano in loading the unmanned number 1 and number 2 Browning 50 calibre anti-aircraft machine guns which were located aft of the compass tower.

White and Delano showed Miller how to use the firearm because he was unfamiliar with it.

Delano anticipated Miller would simply restrict himself to loading one of the guns with ammo, but when he was briefly called elsewhere, Miller took over the gun and started firing it.

Eventually, Japanese aircraft launched five 18-inch (460 mm) aircraft torpedoes into the battleship's port side and dropped two armor-piercing bombs through the battleship's deck, causing further catastrophic damage.

Miller assisted in transferring injured sailors through water and oil to the quarterdeck when the attack eventually subsided, "unquestionably saving the lives of a number of people who might otherwise have been lost."

Bombs, torpedoes, and the ensuing explosions and flames severely damaged the ship, but the crew managed to keep her from capsizing by counter-flooding a number of compartments.

As her remaining crew, which included Miller, abandoned ship, the West Virginia sank to the harbour bottom in shallow water. (However, the ship was later salvaged and repaired and returned to active service later in the war.) 

The Japanese raid on West Virginia resulted in 132 men being killed and 52 being injured.

With his previous ship now out of action, Miller reported for duty on the heavy cruiser Indianapolis on 13th December.

The Navy amended the rate title "mess attendant" to "steward's mate" in February 1943.

Miller, who was assigned to the recently built escort carrier Liscome Bay, reported at the Puget Sound Navy Yard in Bremerton, Washington, on 15th May.

The 960-man ship's main duties were escorting convoys, providing aircraft for close air support during amphibious landing operations, and transporting aircraft to naval outposts and fleet carriers at sea.

Rear Admiral Henry M. Mullinix commanded Carrier Division 24, which had the Liscome Bay as its flagship. On October 22, Liscome Bay set sail for Pearl Harbor.

On 1st June 1, Miller’s rank was increased to third-class cook.