Jack Miller (USMC officer)
Jack Miller (2 April 1920 – 4 December 1942) was a United States Marine Corps officer who was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for his heroic actions as one of Carlson's Raiders during the Battle of Guadalcanal in World War II.
Jack Miller | |
|---|---|
| Born | April 2, 1920 Dallas, Texas |
| Died | December 4, 1942 (aged 22) Guadalcanal |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/ | United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1941–1942 |
| Rank | First Lieutenant |
| Unit | Carlson's Raiders |
| Battles/wars | World War II *Guadalcanal campaign |
| Awards | Navy Cross (posthumous) |
Biography
Jack Miller was born in Dallas, Texas on 2 April 1920. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Commerce from Southern Methodist University (SMU) in 1941. While at SMU, Miller was the captain of the swim team. Three weeks before graduation, Miller signed up to join the Marine Corps, and reported for duty three weeks after graduation.
Marine Corps career
Miller served in the Marine Corps Reserve as a Second Lieutenant from 19 May to 31 October 1941. Commissioned First Lieutenant, USMC, at Quantico, Virginia, 1 November 1941, he volunteered for "Carlson's Raiders" and went to the Pacific Ocean Theatre.
Navy Cross action
On 3 December 1942, as commanding officer of a platoon which had the point at Guadalcanal, he daringly led a flank attack on a strong enemy combat patrol engaged by his battalion at the summit of the hill. Realizing the advance of his platoon was being held up by hostile machine gun fire, he dauntlessly led the assault on the Japanese gun position, acquiring wounds from which he died the following day. He was buried beside the road on Guadalcanal.
Miller was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross.[1]
Namesake
USS Jack Miller (DE-410) was named in his honor. The ship was launched 10 January 1944, by Brown Shipbuilding Co., Houston, Texas; sponsored by Mrs. Henry S. Miller, mother of Jack Miller; commissioned 13 April 1944, Lt. Comdr. J. W. Whaley in command.
References
- This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.
- "Valor awards for Jack Miller". valor.militarytimes.com. Retrieved July 9, 2017.
- "Jack Miller". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Naval History & Heritage Command, Department of the Navy. Retrieved 2007-08-02.
- "Lt. Jack Miller Biography". The World War II Memorial Plaza. Southern Methodist University. Archived from the original on 1999-08-24. Retrieved 2007-08-05.
Further reading
- "Jack Miller papers: A Guide to the Collection". DeGolyer Library, Southern Methodist University. Retrieved 2007-08-05.