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Joseph
P.
Miller

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Sergeant

    Regiment:

    7th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    October 12, 1918
    War Department, General Orders 98 (1919)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Sergeant Joseph P. Miller (ASN: 540426), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Machine-Gun Company, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Cunel, France, 12 October 1918. After making a reconnaissance of the enemy positions with two other soldiers, and, finding the enemy forming for a counterattack, Sergeant Miller, upon his own initiative, extended his positions and filled a gap of 400 meters in the line, his platoon commander having been wounded; and successfully repelled the hostile counterattack. Following up the enemy’s withdrawal, he placed his guns in an advanced position in a railroad cut and remained there for four days without communication with the rear, except at night. During this period, he repelled three enemy counterattacks, and half his command became casualties. His courage under these trying conditions being an inspiration to his men.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Sergeant

    Regiment:

    7th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    October 12, 1918
    Headquarters, 3d Division, A.E.F., Citation Orders No. 22 (July 8, 1919)

    By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Sergeant Joseph P. Miller (ASN: 540426), United States Army, is cited by the Commanding General, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the World War I Victory Medals awarded him. While serving with the Machine Gun Company, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, on the morning of 12 October 1918, south of Cunel, France, Sergeant Miller with two runners made a personal reconnaissance of the enemy positions to his left front and discovered the enemy forming for a counter attack. Returning, he filled a gap in the lines of four hundred meters and successfully repelled the enemy counter attack that followed. In this he took the initiative, his platoon commander having been wounded, and followed up the enemy’s withdrawal, placing his guns in a forward position in a railroad cut where he remained for four days without communication from the rear except at night. In this position he repelled three enemy attacks, losing two squads of his men. His example of courage and heroism under these most trying conditions was an inspiration to those with him. [A Distinguished Service Cross was awarded for this action.]