He was the first African-American to receive the Navy Cross, which is the third highest honor. He was shown in the film picking up laundry when the first torpedo hit. He followed orders from commanders and was heroic in his actions. He saved many lives that could have been lost. The portrayal of Doris Miller, in the film, was portrayed accurately. As the film shows a hospital, where injured victims arrive after the attacks, the use of Coke bottles for blood transfusions was also a factual event. Many nurses used their lipstick when the pens did not work to mark victims with an "F" for fatal, an "M" for morphine and a "C" for critical..