Robert James Miller

{{Short description|US Army Medal of Honor recipient (1983–2008)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2021}} {{Infobox military person |name= Robert James Miller |image= Robert James Miller sitting crop.jpg |image_size= |alt= |caption= Robert J. Miller in Afghanistan |nickname= |birth_date= {{birth date|1983|10|14}} |birth_place= [[Harrisburg, Pennsylvania]], United States |death_date= {{death date and age|2008|01|25|1983|10|14}} |death_place= [[Nari District]], [[Kunar Province]], Afghanistan |burial_place= All Faiths Memorial Park [[Casselberry, Florida]] |allegiance= United States |branch= [[United States Army]] |service_years= 2003–2008 |rank= [[Staff Sergeant]] |service_number= |unit= Company A, 3rd Battalion, [[3rd Special Forces Group (United States)|3rd Special Forces Group]] |commands= |battles= [[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|War in Afghanistan]]{{KIA}} |awards= [[Medal of Honor]] [[Bronze Star Medal]] [[Purple Heart]] [[Meritorious Service Medal (United States)|Meritorious Service Medal]] |relations= |other_work= }} '''Robert James Miller''' (October 14, 1983 – January 25, 2008) was a [[Special Forces (United States Army)|United States Army Special Forces]] soldier who posthumously received the [[Medal of Honor]] for his actions during the [[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|War in Afghanistan]].

==Military career== Miller was born in Pennsylvania, the second of eight children, and grew up in Illinois. His family had a tradition of military service stretching back to the [[American Revolutionary War|Revolutionary War]]. He attended one year at [[University of Iowa]] before deciding to join the Army. He enlisted as a [[Special Forces (United States Army)|Special Forces]] trainee on August 14, 2003 and graduated from Infantry Basic Training and [[United States Army Airborne School|Airborne School]] at [[Fort Benning]], Georgia, on January 6, 2004. Miller graduated from the [[United States Army Special Forces selection and training#Training at SFAS|Special Forces Assessment and Selection]] phase on September 26, 2004, and the Special Forces Weapons Sergeant Course on March 4, 2005. Miller received his [[Special Forces Tab]] and was promoted to sergeant after graduating from the Special Operations French Language Training Course, September 30, 2005. He was assigned the same day to Company A, 3rd Battalion, [[3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne)]], [[Fort Bragg (North Carolina)|Fort Bragg]], North Carolina.<ref name="Army profile">{{cite web |title=Profile Staff Sgt. Robert James Miller |url=https://www.army.mil/medalofhonor/miller/profile.html |website=US Army |access-date=2 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211203061917/https://www.army.mil/medalofhonor/miller/profile.html |archive-date=3 December 2021}}</ref>

[[File:Flickr - The U.S. Army - Medal of Honor, Staff Sgt. Robert J. Miller (6) (cropped).jpg|thumb]] Miller deployed to Afghanistan in support of [[Operation Enduring Freedom]] from August 2006 to March 2007, which spanned both Consolidation I and Consolidation II. During this deployment, Miller received two [[Army Commendation Medal]]s with [[Valor device]] for his courage under fire. While his language training was in French, he also learned to speak [[Pashto]] to better communicate with their Afghan Allies. Teammates recalled that he epitomized the Special Forces soldier "Him just spending time, not just time training but time after the sun goes down, drinking [[Masala chai|chai]] with them, eating, speaking with them in Pashto...He was what I pictured a Special Forces soldier [should be]".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Martinez |first=Sergio |date=22 July 2014 |title=Staff Sgt. Sergio Martinez |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTVxrXVzH2c&list=PLitjSv4SbrkwcHvVPbz_wg9bGsl1I4oCD&ab_channel=U.S.ArmyWebsiteVideos |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220705111828/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTVxrXVzH2c&list=PLitjSv4SbrkwcHvVPbz_wg9bGsl1I4oCD&ab_channel=U.S.ArmyWebsiteVideos |archive-date=5 July 2022 |access-date=5 July 2022 |website=[[YouTube]] |publisher=US Army}}</ref> After returning stateside, he attended and completed [[Ranger School]].<ref name="defense media network story" /> In October 2007, he returned to Afghanistan for his second tour as weapons sergeant for his team.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 26, 2008 |title=Former University of Iowa student killed in Afghanistan |work=[[Globe Gazette]] |agency=[[Associated Press]] |url=http://globegazette.com/news/local/former-university-of-iowa-student-killed-in-afghanistan/article_4660d00b-5170-5cbb-a834-bcb2b22ace08.html |access-date=April 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180619062813/https://globegazette.com/news/local/former-university-of-iowa-student-killed-in-afghanistan/article_4660d00b-5170-5cbb-a834-bcb2b22ace08.html |archive-date=19 June 2018}}</ref> Miller was killed in combat with the [[Taliban]] in Afghanistan on January 25, 2008. His unit was conducting combat operations near the village of Barikowt, [[Nari District]], [[Kunar Province]], Afghanistan. He is buried at All Faiths Memorial Park in [[Casselberry, Florida]].<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=January 22, 2011 |title=Unveiling Ceremony for Medal of Honor headstone |url=https://www.dvidshub.net/news/64082/unveiling-ceremony-medal-honor-headstone |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920051052/https://www.dvidshub.net/news/64082/unveiling-ceremony-medal-honor-headstone |archive-date=20 September 2020 |access-date=April 17, 2018 |publisher=[[Defense Visual Information Distribution Service]]}}</ref> Miller's special skill decorations include: [[Special Forces Tab]], [[Ranger tab|Ranger Tab]] and [[Parachutist Badge (United States)|Parachutist Badge]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=O'Brien |first=Bobbie |date=December 11, 2012 |title=Florida Governor Recognizes Medal of Honor Recipient Robert Miller |work=[[WUSF (FM)]] |location=Florida |url=http://wusfnews.wusf.usf.edu/post/florida-governor-recognizes-medal-honor-recipient-robert-miller |access-date=April 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225082740/https://wusfnews.wusf.usf.edu/american-homefront/2012-12-11/florida-governor-recognizes-medal-of-honor-recipient-robert-miller |archive-date=25 February 2021}}</ref>

Miller was inducted as a Laureate of [[The Lincoln Academy of Illinois]] and awarded the Order of Lincoln (the State's highest honor) by the Governor of Illinois in 2012 in the area of Government.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Laureates by Year – The Lincoln Academy of Illinois |url=https://thelincolnacademyofillinois.org/laureates/convocations/#2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220315195238/https://thelincolnacademyofillinois.org/laureates/convocations/ |archive-date=15 March 2022 |access-date=March 21, 2016 |website=[[The Lincoln Academy of Illinois]] |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Medal of Honor=== On January 25, 2008, ODA 3312 embarked on a pre-dawn joint combat patrol with [[Afghan National Security Forces]] in the Kunar Province near the Pakistan border. Twice along their route, they were forced to use demolitions to remove boulders blocking the road. Knowing that these were often used to effect ambushes, the patrol detached a dismounted element, with Miller taking point, to provide overwatch for the vehicles. Upon reaching the target area, they identified enemy positions with a drone, then initiated contact. Miller began laying down fire from his vehicle's [[Mk 19 grenade launcher|MK 19 grenade launcher]]; when it was disabled, he switched to the mounted [[M240 machine gun]], all the while identifying enemy positions for an airstrike. Following the airstrike the patrol moved forward to perform a [[bomb damage assessment]] (BDA). As the only SF member who spoke [[Pashto]], Miller organized the Afghan fighters and took point once again. While crossing an exposed area, insurgents dug-in behind cover sprung an ambush and poured rifle, machine gun, and [[rocket-propelled grenade]] fire down at them.<ref name="MOH official narrative">{{cite web |title=Medal of Honor Official Narrative |url=https://www.army.mil/medalofhonor/miller/narrative.html |website=US Army |access-date=5 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211203061914/https://www.army.mil/medalofhonor/miller/narrative.html |archive-date=3 December 2021}}</ref>

Their team was caught with little to no cover while insurgent reinforcements arrived, swelling the enemy to nearly 150 fighters. Instead of retreating, Miller charged forward and eliminated a machine gun team and several fighters who were keeping his teammates pinned. Seeing that his team was still in danger, he charged forward again using his [[M249 light machine gun|M249 SAW]] and [[Grenade|fragmentation grenades]] to kill and/or wound at least 10 insurgents. Only once his team had found cover did he begin to pull back. As he maneuvered, Miller was wounded in the chest. Around this time, his team's commander had also been seriously wounded in the chest and shoulder and called for their forces to fall back. Instead, Miller pushed the fight, engaging the enemy and drawing their fire so his captain could be pulled to safety. Cut off and alone, Miller continued to push the fight, calling out enemy positions for his teammates while engaging them until he had expended all of his SAW ammo and his last grenade. He was still alive when two teammates got to his position and began to provide medical care but died moments later. In all, the firefight lasted seven hours and required a [[quick reaction force]]'s reinforcements and additional [[close air support]] to finish the engagement. The enemy suffered 40+ dead and 60+ wounded of which Miller himself killed 16+ and wounded 30+. His courageous actions saved his 8 man team and the 15 Afghans with them.<ref name="defense media network story">{{Cite web |last=Zimmerman |first=Dwight Jon |date=30 June 2011 |title=Medal of Honor: Staff Sgt. Robert J. Miller |url=http://www.defensemedianetwork.com/stories/medal-of-honor-staff-sgt-robert-j-miller/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126210609/http://www.defensemedianetwork.com/stories/medal-of-honor-staff-sgt-robert-j-miller/ |archive-date=26 January 2021 |access-date=5 July 2022 |website=Defense Media Network}}</ref><ref name="MOH official narrative" />

==Awards== Staff Sergeant Miller's decorations include:<ref>{{Cite web |title=Miller, Robert J, SSG |url=https://army.togetherweserved.com/army/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=ShadowBoxProfile&type=Person&ID=26916 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220705102122/https://army.togetherweserved.com/army/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=ShadowBoxProfile&type=Person&ID=26916 |archive-date=5 July 2022 |access-date=December 13, 2020 |website=Together We Served}}</ref> {{col-begin|width=auto}} {{col-break}}

{| style="text-align:center;" |- |colspan="12"|[[File:Combat Infantry Badge.svg|220px|center]] |- |colspan="12"|[[File:US Army Airborne basic parachutist badge.gif|110px|center]] |- |colspan="6"|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Medal of Honor ribbon.svg|width=106|alt=A light blue ribbon with five white five pointed stars}} {{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Bronze Star Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |- |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Purple Heart ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Meritorious Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{Ribbon devices|other_device=v|number=1|type=award-oak|ribbon=Army Commendation Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |- |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Army Good Conduct ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Afghanistan Campaign ribbon.svg|width=106}}[[File:Bronze-service-star-3d-vector.svg|18px]][[File:Bronze-service-star-3d-vector.svg|18px]] |- |{{Ribbon devices|ribbon=Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary ribbon.svg{{!}}border |width=106}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Global War on Terrorism Service ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-numeral|ribbon=NCO Professional Development Ribbon.svg|width=106}}[[File:Award numeral 2.svg|15px]] |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Army Service Ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=numeral|ribbon=Army Overseas Service Ribbon.svg|width=106}}[[File:Award numeral 2.svg|15px]] |{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=award-star|ribbon=NATO Medal ISAF ribbon bar.svg|width=106}} |- |[[File:Einzelbild Special Forces (Special Forces Insignia).svg|110px]] |[[File:Ranger Tab.svg|95px]] |[[File:ArmySharpshooter.jpg|90px]] |- |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Joint_Meritorious_Unit_Award_ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Meritorious Unit Commendation ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{ribbon devices|number=|type=oak|ribbon=Army Superior Unit Award ribbon.svg|width=106}} |}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" |- !Badge |colspan="12"|[[Combat Infantryman Badge]] |- !Badge |colspan="12"|[[Parachutist Badge]] |- !1st Row |colspan="6"|[[Medal of Honor]] |colspan="6"|[[Bronze Star Medal|Bronze Star]] |- !2nd Row |colspan="4"|[[Purple Heart]] |colspan="4"|[[Meritorious Service Medal (United States)|Meritorious Service Medal]] |colspan="4"|[[Army Commendation Medal]] {{small|with [["V" device]] and 1 [[Oak leaf cluster]]}} |- !3rd Row |colspan="4"|[[Good Conduct Medal (United States)|Good Conduct Medal]] |colspan="4"|[[National Defense Service Medal]] |colspan="4"|[[Afghanistan Campaign Medal]] {{small|with 2 [[campaign stars]]}} |- !4th Row |colspan="4"|[[Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal]] |colspan="4"|[[Global War on Terrorism Service Medal]] |colspan="4"|[[Non-Commissioned Officer Development Ribbon|Army NCO Professional Development Ribbon]] {{small|with [[award numeral]] 2}} |- !5th Row |colspan="4"|[[Army Service Ribbon]] |colspan="4"|[[Overseas Service Ribbon|Army Overseas Service Ribbon]] {{small|with [[award numeral]] 2}} |colspan="4"|[[NATO Medal]] {{small|for service with [[ISAF]] with 1 [[Service star]]}} |- !Badges |colspan="4"|[[Special Forces Tab]] |colspan="4"|[[Ranger Tab]] |colspan="4"|[[Marksmanship badges (United States)|Sharpshooter Badge]] {{small|with Rifle component bar}} |- !Unit awards |colspan="4"|[[Joint Meritorious Unit Award]] |colspan="4"|[[Meritorious Unit Commendation]] |colspan="4"|[[Superior Unit Award|Army Superior Unit Award]] |} {{col-end}} {{Clear}}

==Medal of Honor citation== [[File:Barack Obama presents Medal of Honor to Robert J. Miller's parents 2010-10-06 5.jpg|left|thumb|President [[Barack Obama]] presents the Medal of Honor posthumously to Phil and Maureen Miller, the parents SSG Miller on October 6, 2010.]] [[File:Cmoh army.jpg|70px|right|alt=A light blue neck ribbon with a gold star shaped medallion hanging from it. The ribbon is similar in shape to a bowtie with 13 white stars in the center of the ribbon.]]

The President of the United States of America, authorized by act of Congress, March 3, 1863, has awarded, in the name of the Congress, the '''MEDAL OF HONOR''' posthumously to {{center|'''STAFF SERGEANT ROBERT JAMES MILLER''' '''UNITED STATES ARMY'''}}

for service as set forth in the following

{{Quote|For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty: Staff Sergeant Robert J. Miller distinguished himself by extraordinary acts of heroism while serving as the Weapons Sergeant in Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha 3312, Special Operations Task Force-33, Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan during combat operations against an armed enemy in Kunar Province, Afghanistan on 25 January 2008. While conducting a combat reconnaissance patrol through the Gowardesh Valley, Staff Sergeant Miller and his small element of U.S. and Afghan National Army soldiers engaged a force of 15 to 20 insurgents occupying prepared fighting positions. Staff Sergeant Miller initiated the assault by engaging the enemy positions with his vehicle’s turret-mounted Mark-19 40 millimeter automatic grenade launcher while simultaneously providing detailed descriptions of the enemy positions to his command, enabling effective, accurate close air support. Following the engagement, Staff Sergeant Miller led a small squad forward to conduct a battle damage assessment. As the group neared the small, steep, narrow valley that the enemy had inhabited, a large, well-coordinated insurgent force initiated a near ambush, assaulting from elevated positions with ample cover. Exposed and with little available cover, the patrol was totally vulnerable to enemy rocket propelled grenades and automatic weapon fire. As point man, Staff Sergeant Miller was at the front of the patrol, cut off from supporting elements, and less than 20 meters from enemy forces. Nonetheless, with total disregard for his own safety, he called for his men to quickly move back to covered positions as he charged the enemy over exposed ground and under overwhelming enemy fire in order to provide protective fire for his team. While maneuvering to engage the enemy, Staff Sergeant Miller was shot in his upper torso. Ignoring the wound, he continued to push the fight, moving to draw fire from over one hundred enemy fighters upon himself. He then again charged forward through an open area in order to allow his teammates to safely reach cover. After killing at least 10 insurgents, wounding dozens more, and repeatedly exposing himself to withering enemy fire while moving from position to position, Staff Sergeant Miller was mortally wounded by enemy fire. His extraordinary valor ultimately saved the lives of seven members of his own team and 15 Afghanistan National Army soldiers. Staff Sergeant Miller’s heroism and selflessness above and beyond the call of duty, and at the cost of his own life, are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.}}

{{center|'''BARACK OBAMA''' /s/ '''Barack Obama''' '''PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA'''}}

==See also== *[[List of Post Vietnam Medal of Honor recipients]]

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== {{commons category}} *[https://www.army.mil/medalofhonor/miller/ Staff Sergeant Robert J. Miller – Medal of Honor, Operation Enduring Freedom] [https://web.archive.org/web/20211203061917/https://www.army.mil/medalofhonor/miller/profile.html Archived] on 3 December 2021 *[https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/pdf/go1219.pdf General Orders No. 2012–19 Award of the Medal of Honor to Staff Sergeant Robert J. Miller] [https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/pdf/go1219.pdf Archived] on 4 March 2016 *[https://web.archive.org/web/20101008070442/http://www.army.mil/medalofhonor/miller/battlescape.html Video representation of the battle]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Miller, Robert James}} [[Category:1983 births]] [[Category:2008 deaths]] [[Category:Military personnel from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania]] [[Category:People from Wheaton, Illinois]] [[Category:United States Army soldiers]] [[Category:Members of the United States Army Special Forces]] [[Category:American military personnel killed in the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)]] [[Category:United States Army Medal of Honor recipients]] [[Category:War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) recipients of the Medal of Honor]] [[Category:United States Army personnel of the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)]]