Jack Miller, USMC

Infobox Military Person
name = Jack Miller
born = birth date|1920|4|2
died = death date and age|1942|12|4|1920|4|2
placeofbirth = Dallas, Texas
placeofdeath = Guadalcanal


caption =
nickname =
allegiance = United States of America
serviceyears = 1941–1942
rank = First Lieutenant
branch = United States Marine Corps
unit = Carlson's Raiders
battles = World War II *Guadalcanal campaign
awards = Navy Cross (posthumous)

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.

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.

"Lt. Miller" was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross.

Namesake

USS Jack Miller (DE-410) was named in his honor. She was launched 10 January 1944, by Brown Shipbuilding Co., Houston, Texas; sponsored by Mrs. Henry S. Miller, mother of "Lt. Miller"; and commissioned 13 April 1944, Lt. Comdr. J. W. Whaley in command.

ee also

References

:DANFS
*cite web|accessdate=2007-08-02|url=http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/j1/jack_miller.htm
title=Jack Miller
work=Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships
publisher=Naval Historical Center, Department of the Navy

*cite web|accessdate=2007-08-05|url=http://www.smu.edu/cul/memorial/introduction.htm
title=Lt. Jack Miller Biography
work=The World War II Memorial Plaza
publisher=Southern Methodist University

Further reading

*cite web|accessdate=2007-08-05|url=http://www.lib.utexas.edu/taro/smu/00011/smu-00011.html
title=Jack Miller papers: A Guide to the Collection
publisher=DeGolyer Library, Southern Methodist University