Gary L. Miller

Gary Lee Miller (March 19, 1947 – February 16, 1969) was a United States Army officer and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in the Vietnam War.

For other people with the same name, see Gary Miller (professor).
Gary Lee Miller
Born(1947-03-19)March 19, 1947
Covington, Virginia
DiedFebruary 16, 1969(1969-02-16) (aged 21)
Bình Dương Province, Republic of Vietnam
Place of burial
Allegheny Memorial Park,
Covington, Virginia
AllegianceUnited States of America
Service/branchUnited States Army
Years of service1967 - 1969
Rank First Lieutenant
Unit28th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division
Battles/warsVietnam War †
Awards Medal of Honor
Purple Heart

Biography

Miller joined the Army from Roanoke, Virginia in 1967,[1] and by February 16, 1969 was serving as a first lieutenant in Company A, 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division. On that day, in Bình Dương Province, South Vietnam during Operation Toan Thang II, Miller smothered the blast of an enemy-thrown grenade with his body, sacrificing his life to protect those around him. Miller had attended a branch of Virginia Tech and was honored by the university in 2020.[2]

Miller, aged 21 at his death, was buried in Allegheny Memorial Park in his birth city of Covington, Virginia.

Medal of Honor citation

First Lieutenant Miller's official Medal of Honor citation reads:

For conspicuous intrepidity and gallantry in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. First Lt. Miller, Infantry, Company A, was serving as a platoon leader at night when his company ambushed a hostile force infiltrating from Cambodian sanctuaries. After contact with the enemy was broken, 1st Lt. Miller led a reconnaissance patrol from their prepared positions through the early evening darkness and dense tropical growth to search the area for enemy casualties. As the group advanced they were suddenly attacked. First Lt. Miller was seriously wounded. However, the group fought back with telling effect on the hostile force. An enemy grenade was thrown into the midst of the friendly patrol group and all took cover except 1st Lt. Miller. who in the dim light located the grenade and threw himself on it, absorbing the force of the explosion with his body. His action saved nearby members of his patrol from almost certain serious injury. The extraordinary courage and selflessness displayed by this officer were an inspiration to his comrades and are in the highest traditions of the U.S. Army.

See also

References
  1. Service Profile
  2. Schroeder, Annie (6 November 2020). "Virginia Tech remembers life of Alumni Medal of Honor recipient". WSLS. Retrieved 7 November 2020.
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