http://news.soc.mil/releases/News%20...100910-01.html

White House to present Medal of Honor to family of Green Beret for heroism in Afghanistan
Washington D.C. (USASOC News Service, Sept. 10, 2010) –On October 6th, President Barack Obama will present the Medal of Honor to the family of a fallen Special Forces Soldier for his heroism and valor in combat while serving in Afghanistan in January of 2008.

President Barak Obama will honor the extraordinary courage and selfless sacrifice of Staff Sgt. Robert Miller by presenting his family with our nation’s highest award, the Medal of Honor. This will be the third time the Medal of Honor has been presented by President Obama.

Only 24-years old, Miller impressed everyone on his team. Although the youngest member of “A” Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C., he quickly earned a reputation for taking on difficult challenges and leading from the front according to numerous interview with other Operational Detachment –Alpha (ODA) Team Members.

An avid athlete and a student of human nature, he was often called on because of his expertise in weapons and languages. His teammates recalled how quickly he picked up Pashto (one of Afghanistan's native languages) and how the local villagers loved to spend time with him and teach him their language and culture. According to one team members recollections, the villagers developed a bond with him over evening meals while drinking the local tea “chai,” they respected and trusted him. In all things, “Robbie,” as he was called, was a natural to Special Forces, a true embodiment of a Green Beret.

On Jan. 25, 2008, Miller while serving as a Special Forces Weapons Sergeant for his team, Miller volunteered to take lead on a nocturnal patrol in the Konar Province near the Pakistan border. Because of his Pashto language abilities, he led and directed the small local contingent of Afghan National Army Soldiers from the front. As they approached their target area his team was attacked by insurgents.

In the ensuing chaos Miller showed his mettle by directing fire and providing cover for his men. Miller deliberately moved forward making himself vulnerable as he engaged several enemy positions to provide suppressive fire, buying time for his teammates to take cover. Exposing his position repeatedly, he drew fire from more than 100 enemy fighters, ultimately saving the lives of his fellow Green Berets and 15 local ANA soldiers.

Miller’s unwavering courage and selfless actions embodied the highest principles of the Special Forces community, and are a testament to the Army values he lived every day. This was his second combat tour to Afghanistan, the first being from August 2006 to March 2007.

Born in Harrisburg, Pa., on Oct. 14, 1983, his family moved and he grew up in Wheaton, Ill. He attended Wheaton North High School and was a respected gymnast and all-around athlete.

On Aug. 14, 2003, he enlisted in the Army as an 18 X-ray, Special Forces candidate, with the hope of becoming a Green Beret. He graduated from the Special Forces Qualification Course on Sept. 26, 2004. After his enlistment Miller’s parents moved to and currently reside in Oviedo, Fla.

His previous military decorations include: the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal, two Army Commendation Medals for valor, the Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, The Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Noncommissioned Officer’s Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Parachutist Badge, the Special Forces Tab and the Ranger Tab.

Miller will become the seventh service member to receive the Medal of Honor during operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. The last recipient of the Medal of Honor was Sgt. 1st Class Jared C. Monti, who posthumously received the award on Sept. 17, 2009, in a ceremony at the White House.

Well done SSG Miller,De Oppresso Liber......... God Bless,Rest in Peace Warrior............:(

Big Teddy

RIP, warrior.

Narrative
 

Thoughts and Prayers to his family. Thank you for your service SSG Miller

Damn, that narrative gave a much more detailed view to his actions.

That man had a truckload of what we call sisu!

RIP SSG Miller.

Today's Chicago Tribune. It's front page on the Herald as well.
Attachment 16716

Chicago Tribune link - Oct 3, 2010
 

LINK

I loved the last 2 sentences of the article - a quote by SSG Miller's mother:

"Speaking strictly as parents," Maureen Miller said, "we are humbled that a child we raised was able to demonstrate such courage, skill, leadership and clarity of mind in the most difficult of situations. For all his God-given energy and drive, Rob was still in many ways just an ordinary kid from the Chicago suburbs who did extraordinary things."

Makes ya damn proud.
Hell of a fight.
Hell of a good job.

God Bless, RIP

SSG Robert J. Miller
 

Medal of Honor to Green Beret killed in Afghan war
By MARK S. SMITH (AP) – 1 hour ago

WASHINGTON — With the war in Afghanistan about to grind past another milestone, President Barack Obama is awarding the Medal of Honor on Wednesday to an Army Green Beret killed two winters ago when his patrol was ambushed by the Taliban.

The parents of Staff Sgt. Robert Miller were scheduled to accept the nation's highest award for valor in an East Room ceremony.

The 24-year-old Miller, a native of Harrisburg, Pa., was leading a nighttime patrol of U.S. and Afghan troops in Kunar province near the Pakistan border on Jan. 25, 2008, when a much larger force of insurgents opened fire.

Comrades who survived the battle say Miller continued advancing, firing and hurling grenades, even after he was wounded twice in the chest, pinning down enemy troops as he sought to rescue the others.

"He displayed immeasurable courage and uncommon valor — eventually sacrificing his own life to save the lives of his teammates," a White House statement said.

Miller is the third U.S. service member to receive the Medal of Honor for the Afghanistan conflict.

Thursday is the ninth anniversary of the bombardment that began the post-9/11 U.S. invasion of Afghanistan. Since then, more than 1,200 U.S. troops have perished in the conflict, and this year is already the deadliest yet. Afghanistan is America's longest war since Vietnam.

In August, the troop surge Obama ordered last December to reverse Taliban gains reached its peak. Currently, U.S. troop strength numbers just under 95,000.

While vowing not to let Afghanistan became a haven for al-Qaida, Obama has set a deadline of next summer to start drawing down U.S. forces and handing responsibility to Afghan troops.

Associated Press writer Sagar Meghani contributed to this report.

RIP
 

Rest in Peace SSG Miller. God Bless you and your family. We won't forget.

Rest in Peace SSG Miller. May God bless you and your family.

Rest in Peace Sgt. Miller

My prayers are with the family of SSG Miller and his brothers. Rest in peace, warrior.