Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Corporal

    Batallion:

    1st Battalion

    Regiment:

    2d Marines

    Division:

    2d Marine Division

    Action Date:

    June 17, 1944

    Commander in Chief, Pacific: Serial 1476 (September 22, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Corporal Channing B. Miller (MCSN: 386526), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with the First Battalion, Second Marines, SECOND Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on the Island of Saipan in the Marianas, on 17 June 1944. Pinned down on open, level ground by a sudden barrage of Japanese machine-gun fire while leading his unit in a reconnaissance patrol, Corporal Miller quickly and skillfully deployed his men and, lacking the proper weapons to destroy the enemy emplacement, made his tortuous way back over the difficult, exposed terrain, both crawling and running, in his determined effort to obtain equipment and ammunition for attacking the hostile position. Subsequently returning with rifle grenades and ordnance gear, he advanced noiselessly on the flank of the Japanese installation and fired his deadly charges into the rear entrance, thereby destroying the fortification and annihilating its occupants. Although two of his men were killed during the action, Corporal Miller, by his resolute initiative, cool judgment and gallant fortitude during a critical situation, succeeded in averting the threatened annihilation of his patrol, and his indomitable courage and valiant devotion to duty in the face of tremendous odds upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.