Robert James Miller

Miller enlisted as a Special Forces trainee on August 14, 2003. He graduated from Infantry Basic Training and Airborne School at Fort Benning, Georgia, on January 6, 2004. Miller graduated from the Special Forces Assessment and Selection 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. That same day he was assigned to Company A, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Miller deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom from August 2006 to March 2007. During this deployment, Miller received two Army Commendation Medals with Valor device for his courage under fire. He returned to Afghanistan for his second tour in October 2007, where he served as a weapons sergeant for his team.[2] 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.[3] Miller's special skill decorations include: Special Forces Tab, Ranger Tab and Parachutist Badge.[4]

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 2010 in the area of Government.[5]

Staff Sergeant Miller's decorations include:[6]

Badge Combat Infantryman Badge Badge Parachutist Badge 1st Row Medal of Honor Bronze Star 2nd Row Purple Heart Meritorious Service Medal Army Commendation Medal with "V" device and 1 Oak leaf cluster 3rd Row Good Conduct Medal National Defense Service Medal Afghanistan Campaign Medal with 1 Campaign star 4th Row Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Army NCO Professional Development Ribbon with award numeral 2 5th Row Army Service Ribbon Army Overseas Service Ribbon NATO Medal for service with ISAF with 1 Service star Badges Special Forces Tab Ranger Tab Sharpshooter Badge with Rifle component bar Unit awards Joint Meritorious Unit Award Meritorious Unit Commendation Army Superior Unit Award

President Barack Obama presents the Medal of Honor posthumously to Phil and Maureen Miller, the parents SSG Miller on October 6, 2010.

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

for service as set forth in the following

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.

• List of Post Vietnam Medal of Honor recipients

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Robert James Miller.

• Staff Sergeant Robert J. Miller – Medal of Honor, Operation Enduring Freedom United States Army
• Medal of Honor: Staff Sgt. Robert J. Miller
• General Orders No. 2012–19 Award of the Medal of Honor to Staff Sergeant Robert J. Miller