Robert James Miller
Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army
Medal of Honor Recipient
Afghanistan

Robert James Miller (14 October 1983 - 25 January 2008) of Company A, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) was a Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Army Special Forces who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

Robert James Miller was born on 14 October 1983, at Harrisburg, PA, the son of Philip and Maureen Miller. Robert grew up in Wheaton, IL, graduating from Wheaton North High School in 2002. He was captain of the school's state-qualifying gymnastics teams. In addition to his parents, Miller is survived by brothers, Thomas, Martin and Edward, and sisters, Joanna, Mary, Therese and Patricia.

Military Career

Staff Sergeant Miller enlisted as a Special Forces trainee on 14 August 2003. He graduated from Infantry Basic Training and Airborne School at Fort Benning, GA, on 6 January. Miller graduated from the Special Forces Qualification Course on 26 September 2004, and the Special Forces Weapons Sergeant Course on 4 March 2005. Miller received his Special Forces Tab and was promoted to Sergeant after graduating from the Special Operations French Language Training Course on 30 September 2005. That same day he was assigned to Company A, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, NC.

He deployed to Afghanistan to support Operation Enduring Freedom from August 2006 to March 2007. During this deployment, Miller received two Army Commendation w/ Valor Device medals 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. Miller was killed in combat with the Taliban in Afghanistan on 25 January 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, FL. Miller's Special Skill decorations include: Special Forces Tab, Ranger Tab and Parachutist Badge.

Medal of Honor

The President of the United States of America, authorized by act of Congress, 3 March 1863, has awarded, in the name of the Congress, the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to

STAFF SERGEANT ROBERT JAMES MILLER
UNITED STATES ARMY

for service as set forth in the following

Citation:

"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 Konar 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."

BARACK OBAMA
/s/ Barack Obama
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

In a 6 October 2010 ceremony at the White House, President Barack Obama presented the Medal of Honor to Phil and Maureen Miller, the parents of Staff Sergeant Robert James Miller, who died while saving members of his team and 15 Afghan soldiers.

Staff Sergeant Miller was 24 years old when he died as a result of his heroic actions at Barikowt, Afghanistan, on 25 January 2008.

Medals, Awards, Badges & Tabs

Medal of Honor
Purple Heart
Meritorious Service Medal
Army Commendation Medal with "V" Device
Army Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Army NCO Professional Development Ribbon
Army Service Ribbon
Army Overseas Service Ribbon
NATO Service Medal (ISAF)
Combat Infantryman Badge
Parachutist Badge
Special Forces Tab
Ranger Tab

Death and Burial

Staff Sergeant Robert James Miller was killed in action on 25 January 2008. He is buried at All Faiths Memorial Park in Casselberry, Seminole County, FL.