The Navy’s public ceremony at Pearl Harbor will have African-American history and heritage as its theme this month.

The ceremony will be held at the Pearl Harbor visitors’ center at 7:30 a.m. on Thursday.

It will feature the U.S. Pacific Fleet Band and the honors and ceremonies guard from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.

African-American Navy history highlights include the actions of Mess Attendant Doris “Dorie” Miller during the 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

Miller helped moved injured USS West Virginia shipmates out of harm’s way. He also downed several Japanese planes with an anti-aircraft machine gun even though he wasn’t trained to use it.

Miller was awarded the Navy Cross for distinguishing himself in action.

There are 22 African-American admirals in the Navy today.