Willard Miller
Willard Dwight Miller | |
---|---|
Born | Maitland, Nova Scotia, Canada | June 5, 1877
Died | February 19, 1959 | (aged 81)
Buried | |
Allegiance | United States of America |
Service | United States Navy |
Rank | Seaman |
Unit | USS Nashville (PG-7) |
Battles / wars | Spanish–American War *Battle of Cienfuegos |
Awards | Medal of Honor |
Relations | Harry H. Miller, brother – fellow Medal of Honor recipient |
Other work | U.S. Lighthouse Service |
Willard Dwight Miller (June 5, 1877 – February 19, 1959) was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of America's highest military decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in the Spanish–American War.
Biography
[edit]Willard Miller was born in Maitland, Nova Scotia on June 5, 1877. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy from the state of Massachusetts and served during the Spanish–American War as a crew member of the gunboat USS Nashville (PG-7). On May 11, 1898, he took part in a small boat operation that cut the underwater telegraph cable off Cienfuegos, Cuba, and received the Medal of Honor for his conduct during the action (the Battle of Cienfuegos).
Miller's younger brother, Harry Herbert Miller, was also awarded the Medal of Honor for the same action, making the two men one of only eight pairs of brothers to be awarded the medal.[1]
Miller left the Navy in 1906 and later served in the U.S. Lighthouse Service.
He died on February 19, 1959, at age 81 and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington County, Virginia.[2] His grave can be found in Section 46, Lot 15.[2][3]
Medal of Honor citation
[edit]Seaman Miller's official Medal of Honor citation reads:[1]
On board the U.S.S. Nashville during the operation of cutting the cable leading from Cienfuegos, Cuba, May 11, 1898. Facing the heavy fire of the enemy, Miller displayed extraordinary bravery and coolness throughout this action.
See also
[edit]Notes
[edit]- ^ a b "Willard D. Miller". Hall of Valor. Military Times. Retrieved November 25, 2014.
- ^ a b Arlington National Cemetery
- ^ Burial Detail: Miller, Willard D – ANC Explorer
References
[edit]- This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Naval History and Heritage Command.
- "US People – Seaman Willard D. Miller, USN, (1877–1959)". Online Library of Selected Images. Naval History & Heritage Command. 2006-03-24. Retrieved 2006-11-21.
- 1877 births
- 1959 deaths
- Burials at Arlington National Cemetery
- Canadian emigrants to the United States
- Canadian people of British descent
- United States Navy Medal of Honor recipients
- People from Hants County, Nova Scotia
- United States Navy sailors
- Canadian-born Medal of Honor recipients
- Spanish–American War recipients of the Medal of Honor
- United States Lighthouse Service personnel