Gary Lee Miller
First Lieutenant, U.S. Army
Medal of Honor Recipient
Vietnam War

First Lieutenant Gary Lee Miller (19 March 1947 - 16 February 1969) was a U.S. Army officer who was posthumously awarded the U.S. military's highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor, for his actions in the Vietnam War.

Gary Lee Miller was born on 19 March 1947 in Covington, VA. He joined the Army from Roanoke, VA. On 16 February 1969, Miller was serving as a First Lieutenant in Company A, 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division. On that day, in Binh Duong Province, Republic of Vietnam, Miller covered the blast of an enemy-thrown grenade with his body, sacrificing his life to protect those around him. For his heroic self-sacrifice, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

Medal of Honor

Citation: 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.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Gary Lee Miller's name is inscribed on Panel 32W - Line 45.

Death and Burial

First Lieutenant Gary Lee Miller was killed in action on 16 February 1969. He is buried at Allegheny Memorial Park in his birth city of Covington, VA.