The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major Donald E. Miller (MCSN: 0-76614), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Pilot with Marine Observation Squadron TWO (VMO-2), FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the afternoon of 23 April 1969, Major Miller launched as Aircraft Commander of an AH-1G Cobra helicopter assigned the emergency mission of providing support for an eight-man long-range reconnaissance patrol which was surrounded and had sustained three casualties while heavily engaged in combat with an estimated North Vietnamese Army platoon four miles west of An Hoa. Arriving over the designated area, he found that the beleaguered Marines were located on a steep hillside and that one of the casualties had fallen over a cliff after having been struck by hostile fire. After establishing radio contact with the patrol, Major Miller assumed control of all the aircraft involved in the operation and skillfully coordinated a plan of action with the ground unit. Directing the reconnaissance team to recover the fallen Marine under the protective cover of supporting gunship fire, he completely disregarded his own safety as he fearlessly maneuvered his Cobra on repeated low-altitude rocket and strafing runs, delivering his ordnance upon the North Vietnamese with pinpoint accuracy, and coordinated the attacks of all supporting aircraft on station with such effectiveness that the patrol was able to retrieve the casualty and move down the slope to a more suitable pickup site. To protect the transport helicopter, Major Miller directed the delivery of white phosphorous rockets with such precision that a smoke screen enabled the extraction aircraft to establish a hover and remain in its precarious position until the entire patrol had climbed upon an extension ladder suspended from the helicopter. His delivery of accurate and highly effective suppressive fire and coordination of the firing runs of the other gunships enabled the transport helicopter to depart the dangerous area without sustaining damage. By his courage, superior airmanship and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of grave personal danger, Major Miller was instrumental in the accomplishment of the hazardous mission and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Legion of Merit
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
MajorBatallion:
Marine Observation Squadron 2 (VMO-2)Division:
1st Marine Aircraft WingAction Date:
January 20, 1969
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major Donald E. Miller (MCSN: 0-76614), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving with Marine Observation Squadron TWO (VMO-2), Marine Aircraft Group Sixteen, FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in connection with military operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 20 January 1969, Major Miller launched as Pilot aboard a UH-1E helicopter gunship flying as escort for a CH-46 transport helicopter assigned an emergency medical evacuation mission in support of a friendly unit operating near An Hoa in Quang Nam Province. Informed that the ground unit was heavily engaged with the enemy and that the CH-46 could expect to encounter intense hostile fire during the evacuation, he flew his aircraft at a dangerously low altitude over the landing zone to attract the enemy fire and locate the hostile positions. As the medical evacuation helicopter approached the designated area, it came under a heavy volume of fire and was forced to abort its mission. Reacting instantly, Major Miller directed the accurate fire of his crew on the enemy and temporarily silenced the hostile fire. When two additional attempts to evacuate the casualties were unsuccessful, Major Miller led the CH-46 back to the An Hoa Combat Base for additional gunship support. Returning to the hazardous area, he skillfully coordinated his gunships in a well-planned series of strafing runs which delivered a devastating volume of fire on the enemy, thereby enabling the medical evacuation aircraft to embark the casualties without sustaining damage. His bold initiative and superb aeronautical ability inspired all who observed him and contributed significantly to the accomplishment of the vital mission. Major Miller’s courage, resolute determination and unswerving devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
MajorBatallion:
Marine Observation Squadron 2 (VMO-2)Division:
1st Marine Aircraft WingAction Date:
December 16, 1968 – December 10, 1969
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Major Donald E. Miller (MCSN: 0-76614), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States with Marine Observation Squadron TWO (VMO-2), Marine Aircraft Group Sixteen, First Marine Aircraft Wing in connection with military operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam from 16 December 1968 to 10 December 1969. Throughout this period, Major Miller performed his demanding duties in an exemplary and highly professional manner. Initially assigned as Squadron Administrative Officer, in addition to his primary duties as a Squadron Pilot, he provided a consistently high level of administrative support to his unit and initiated improvements in the personnel management system which greatly enhanced the operational effectiveness of air and ground crews. Serving concurrently as Awards Officer, he evaluated vast quantities of data concerning meritorious achievement and heroic actions and ensured that award recommendations were properly prepared prior to being submitted for approval. Reassigned as Squadron Maintenance Officer on 29 March 1969, Major Miller skillfully supervised and coordinated the myriad activities of his large maintenance complex and was instrumental in the superb response capability and safety record achieved by the Squadron. Working tirelessly and with meticulous attention to detail, he reorganized the entire maintenance section, reassigned personnel to ensure that highly qualified technicians were performing at their maximum ability, and established a supply system which expedited the delivery of critical repair parts. Under his direct supervision, the AH-1G Cobra was efficiently integrated into the Squadron’s inventory and an inter-service maintenance agreement was negotiated with United States Army elements to support the new aircraft. Because of his aviation expertise, Major Miller was selected to execute the first Marine Combat sortie assigned to the AH-1G aircraft and coauthored an article for publication in the Marine Corps Gazette on the effectiveness of the Cobra in combat. In addition, he served with distinction as Naval Aviation Training and Operating Procedures Standardization Officer for the AH-1G aircraft, functioned as a member of the instrument board, and was a Post-Maintenance Inspection Pilot in both the OV-10A and the AH-1G. His extraordinary initiative and determination earned the respect and admiration of all who served with him and contributed immeasurably to the accomplishment of his unit’s mission. By his leadership, professional acumen, and unswerving devotion to duty, Major Miller rendered distinguished service to his country and thereby upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service. (Major Miller is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
MajorBatallion:
Marine Observation Squadron 2 (VMO-2)Division:
1st Marine Aircraft WingAction Date:
May 15, 1969
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major Donald E. Miller (MCSN: 0-76614), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving with Marine Observation Squadron TWO (VMO-2), Marine Aircraft Group Sixteen, FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in connection with military operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the evening of 15 May 1969, Major Miller launched as Section Leader of a flight of two armed AH-1G Cobra aircraft assigned the mission of supporting the emergency medical evacuation of eight casualties from a Marine company heavily engaged in combat with a numerically superior North Vietnamese Army force in an area approximately three miles west of An Hoa. Upon arriving over the area, he was briefed on the tactical situation and informed that scattered elements of the company were under intense hostile mortar, small arms, and automatic weapons fire. Coordinating his attacks with those of other supporting aircraft, Major Miller, undaunted by rain and smoke which severely restricted visibility, the heavy volume of enemy fire directed against his gunship, and the difficulties of maneuvering his aircraft in the darkness over hazardous mountain terrain, boldly delivered highly effective suppressive fire against the North Vietnamese positions. Assuming control of several additional supporting aircraft when the flight leader was forced to return to his base to rearm and refuel his gunship, he skillfully coordinated the deliver of smoke rockets with the movement of the ground unit which enabled the Marines to consolidate their position and move the casualties to a more secure landing zone. With complete disregard for his own safety, Major Miller fearlessly maneuvered his Cobra on low-altitude passes and delivered his ordnance with such accuracy and effectiveness that the hostile fire was suppressed sufficiently to enable transport helicopters to land. Observing three enemy mortar rounds impacting near the extractor aircraft, he immediately launched an attack which silenced the hostile fire. When informed that the Marines were in urgent need of ammunition and water, Major Miller quickly provided suppressive fire which enabled the vital supplies to be delivered. Major Miller’s courage, superior airmanship and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger were instrumental in the accomplishment of the hazardous mission and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.