Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Fallen soldier to become third Medal of Honor recipient in Afghan war
Stars and Stripes ^ | September 9, 2010 | Leo Shane III

Posted on 09/09/2010 4:28:55 PM PDT by Jet Jaguar

President Barack Obama will posthumously honor Army Staff Sgt. Robert Miller with the Medal of Honor in a White House ceremony next month, making him the third servicemember to receive the award for actions in Afghanistan.

Miller, a weapons sergeant assigned to Company A, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group Airborne, was killed by small-arms fire on Jan. 25, 2008. White House officials said Miller sacrificed his life to protect the lives of his teammates and 15 Afghan soldiers.

Army officials said Miller’s unit was supporting an Afghan Border Police security patrol in the Chenar Khar Valley in Kunar Province when they were ambushed by Taliban fighters hiding in nearby buildings. The unit called for close-air support to bomb an insurgent position, but were attacked again when they moved in to survey the damage.

Miller’s team captain was seriously wounded. Fellow soldiers said as he was moved to safety, Miller remained at the front of the patrol and continued to lay down suppressive fire on multiple insurgent positions, ultimately saving his commander’s life, officials said.

Even after being wounded by enemy machine gun fire, Miller, 24, continued to fire his M249 Squad Automatic Weapon and throw grenades into Taliban positions. Army officials said his courage enabled his teammates and the Afghan security forces to gain cover and return fire.

At his memorial service two days later, Lt. Col. Samuel Ashley, then commander of Special Operations Task Force 33, said Miller was the type of soldier who never backed down from a challenge.

“He understood the hazards of combat and the risks of his service to our nation,” he said. “He willingly bore the burden of the soldier. He was the epitome of the Special Forces soldier. He was a warrior among warriors.”

Miller’s parents, Phil and Maureen, will attend the service on Oct. 6 to “commemorate their son’s selfless service and sacrifice,” according to a White House news release.

Miller, a Harrisburg, Pa., native, graduated from Wheaton North High School in Wheaton, Ill., but moved to Florida shortly thereafter. He joined the Army in 2003 and became a Green Beret in 2005. He was based at Fort Bragg in North Carolina before his death.


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; US: Florida; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: cmoh

1 posted on 09/09/2010 4:28:56 PM PDT by Jet Jaguar
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Jet Jaguar

To even have the MEMORY of this man and zero in the same room is a disgrace. I feel sorry for his family. To have such an honor bestowed by such a loser.


2 posted on 09/09/2010 4:31:34 PM PDT by I cannot think of a name
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Jet Jaguar

If only everyone was as Selfless and Brave as him.


3 posted on 09/09/2010 4:35:14 PM PDT by DHSMostWanted (Thankful the Founding Fathers committed Treason against the Crown)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Jet Jaguar

RIP. Thaank you for your service.


4 posted on 09/09/2010 4:35:45 PM PDT by Leo Farnsworth (I'm really not Leo Farnsworth.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Jet Jaguar

De Opresso Liber. RLTW.

5 posted on 09/09/2010 4:39:12 PM PDT by Palter (If voting made any difference they wouldn't let us do it. ~ Mark Twain)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Jet Jaguar

It makes me ill just thinking of Obama even in the same room as the memory of this Man of Honor.


6 posted on 09/09/2010 4:44:27 PM PDT by Kartographer (".. we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Jet Jaguar

God bless you, Sarge. Our nation is grateful to you.


7 posted on 09/09/2010 5:24:43 PM PDT by righttackle44 (I may not be much, but I raised a United States Marine.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Jet Jaguar

If I was in this patriot’s family I would request from some General if the ceremony could be put off till we had a President that respected the military.
It demeans the honor this hero deserves to have a communist muslim giving him this medal, and spouting platitudes he doesn’t mean.


8 posted on 09/09/2010 5:37:47 PM PDT by taillightchaser
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Kartographer

“But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate — we can not consecrate — we can not hallow — this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract.”


9 posted on 09/09/2010 5:55:54 PM PDT by DUMBGRUNT (The best is the enemy of the good!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Jet Jaguar

Go with God warrior, go with God. Our prayers are with your family.


10 posted on 09/09/2010 5:59:34 PM PDT by onona (dbada)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson