Robert James Miller was a former United States Army Staff Sergeant who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, the highest military decoration in the United States, for his exceptional bravery and selflessness during a combat operation in Afghanistan. Miller was born on October 14, 1983, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and tragically lost his life in action on January 25, 2008.
On that fateful day, Staff Sergeant Miller, a Special Forces weapons sergeant assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group, was leading a team on a combat reconnaissance mission in the Kunar Province of Afghanistan. The mission was to gather intelligence and disrupt enemy activity in the area.
During the operation, Miller’s team came under heavy enemy fire from a well-entrenched and numerically superior insurgent force. Despite being wounded early in the engagement, Miller displayed extraordinary valor and determination.
With complete disregard for his own safety, Miller repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire to provide covering fire and enable his team to take up more advantageous positions. He maneuvered through a barrage of bullets to effectively engage the enemy, disrupting their attacks and allowing his fellow soldiers to return fire.
In a pivotal moment, Miller single-handedly charged forward into a lethal ambush, engaging multiple enemy fighters and killing several of them. His courageous actions provided a diversion, allowing his teammates to gain a tactical advantage and eliminate the remaining insurgents.
Miller’s selfless act of heroism ultimately cost him his life, but his sacrifice saved the lives of several of his fellow soldiers. His extraordinary bravery, unwavering dedication, and decisive actions under fire exemplified the highest ideals of military service.
For his exceptional courage and selflessness, Staff Sergeant Robert James Miller was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously by President Barack Obama in a White House ceremony on October 6, 2010. Miller’s actions serve as a lasting testament to his bravery and devotion to duty, inspiring all who hear his story. He is a true American hero, remembered for his extraordinary sacrifice and unwavering commitment to his fellow soldiers and the United States of America.
Medal of Honor Citation
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.