Willard Miller
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| Willard Dwight Miller | |
|---|---|
| 5 June 1877 – 19 February 1959 | |
 Willard D. Miller |
|
| Place of birth | Nova Scotia, Canada |
| Allegiance | United States Navy |
| Rank | Seaman |
| Unit | USS Nashville (PG-7) |
| Battles/wars | Spanish-American War * Battle of Cienfuegos |
| Awards | Medal of Honor |
| Other work | U.S. Lighthouse Service |
Willard Dwight Miller (5 June 1877 – 19 February 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.
Willard Miller 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 11 May 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).
Seaman Miller's official Medal of Honor citation reads:
On board the U.S.S. Nashville during the operation of cutting the cable leading from Cienfuegos, Cuba, 11 May 1898. Facing the heavy fire of the enemy, Miller displayed extraordinary bravery and coolness throughout this action.
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 five pairs of brothers to be awarded the medal.
Willard Miller left the Navy in 1906 and later served in the U.S. Lighthouse Service. He died at age 81 and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington County, Virginia.
[edit] References
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This article includes information collected from the Naval Historical Center, which, as a US government publication, is in the public domain. |
- US People - Miller, Willard D., Seaman. Online Library. Naval Historical Center (2006-03-24). Retrieved on November 21, 2006.
