Wall of Heros / Miracles Through Golf / Texas
Robert J. Miller
Staff Sergeant, Company a, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Date of death, and/or operation or circumstance (eg “operation enduring freedom).
Robert J. Miller’s Story
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 Konar Province, Afghanistan on January 25, 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.
Miller was born on October 14, 1983 in Harrisburg, Penn. He grew up in Wheaton, IL where he attended Wheaton North High School. He attended one year at the University of Iowa and then volunteered for military service.
Miller enlisted as a Special Forces trainee in Iowa City, Iowa on Aug. 14, 2003. He graduated from Infantry Basic Training and Airborne School at Ft. Benning, Ga., Jan. 6, 2004. Miller graduated from the Special Forces Qualification Course Sep. 26, 2004, and the Special Forces Weapons Sergeant Course Mar. 4, 2005. He received the Special Forces Tab and was promoted to Sgt. after graduating from the Special Operations French Language Training Course, Sep. 30, 2005. Miller was assigned to Co. ‘A,’ 3rd Bn., 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), Ft. Bragg, N.C.
In 2006, Miller deployed with 3rd SFG (A) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, earning the Army Commendation Medal for valor for his display of courage. He was also promoted to the rank of Staff Sgt. In October 2007, he deployed for a second tour in Afghanistan, where he served as the Weapons Sergeant for his team.
His military training includes: Warrior Leader Course; Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course; Basic Airborne Course; the Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course; Special Forces Qualification Course; Special Forces Heavy Weapons Course; and the U.S. Army Ranger School.
His awards and decorations include: Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal for Valor, Army Good Conduct Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon with numeral 2, Army Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Parachutist Badge, Special Forces tab and Ranger tab and a Congressional Medal of Honor.
Staff Sgt. Miller is survived by his parents, Philip and Maureen Miller, his brothers, Thomas, Martin and Edward, and his sisters, Joanna, Mary, Therese and Patricia, all from Oviedo, Fla.
