First Lieutenant Gary Lee Miller, a soldier in the U.S. Army, was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for gallantry on February 16, 1969 in Binh Duong Province, Republic of Vietnam during the Vietnam War. At the time he was serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division. Miller was 21 years old.
Miller was killed in the action for which his medal was awarded. The medal was presented on August 6, 1970 — the White House, presented by Pres. Richard M. Nixon to his family.
Miller was born on March 19, 1947 in Covington, Covington County, Virginia. His Medal of Honor is credited to Roanoke, Roanoke County, Virginia. He is buried at Allegheny Memorial Park in Covington, Virginia. His medal is held by Historical Society of Western Virginia, Roanoke, VA.
Miller is one of 274 Medal of Honor recipients from the Vietnam War and one of 48 credited to Virginia.
Official Medal of Honor citation
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. 1st 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. 1st 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.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Wounds and death in action
What the citation records about his wounds:
1st Lt. Miller was seriously wounded.
- Killed in action during the act for which the medal was awarded (February 16, 1969).
- Age at death: 21
- Resting place: Allegheny Memorial Park
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: Vietnam War.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Virginia →
Timeline
- March 19, 1947Born in Covington, Covington County, Virginia
- February 16, 1969Act of valor — Binh Duong Province, Republic of VietnamAge 21. Company A, 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division Killed in action.
- August 6, 1970Medal of Honor presented posthumouslyThe White House, presented by Pres. Richard M. Nixon to his family
- Resting placeAllegheny Memorial ParkCovington, Virginia
Biography
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.
From the Wikipedia article “Gary L. Miller”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
