John C. Miller Jr. facts for kids

Quick facts for kids John Carroll Miller Jr.
BG John C. Miller Jr., USMC
Born	(1912-12-25)December 25, 1912 Lake Andes, South Dakota, US
Died	July 29, 2000(2000-07-29) (aged 87) San Diego, California, US
Buried	Arlington National Cemetery
Allegiance	United States
Service/branch	United States Marine Corps
Years of service	1935–1965
Rank	Brigadier general
Service number	0-5196
Commands held	Landing Force Training Command, Atlantic 4th Marine Regiment 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines
Battles/wars	Yangtze Patrol World War II Attack on Pearl Harbor Battle of Saipan Philippines campaign Battle of Okinawa Korean War
Awards	Legion of Merit Bronze Star Medal (2) Purple Heart (2)

John Carroll Miller Jr. (born December 25, 1912 – died July 29, 2000) was a brave officer in the United States Marine Corps. He rose to the rank of Brigadier general. He fought in the Pacific War during World War II, where he was injured twice. He earned special awards for his courage in battles like Saipan and Okinawa. After the war, he continued to serve the Marines for many years.

Becoming a Marine Officer

John C. Miller Jr. was born on Christmas Day in 1912 in Lake Andes, South Dakota. After finishing high school in 1931, he went to the University of South Dakota. While there, he joined the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC). This program trains college students to become military officers.

In June 1935, he earned his college degree. He first became a second lieutenant in the United States Army Reserve. However, he soon decided to join the United States Marine Corps instead. He became a second lieutenant in the Marines on September 10, 1935.

Miller then went to the Basic School in Philadelphia. This school teaches new Marine officers everything they need to know. His class was one of the largest ever. Many of his classmates later became important generals in the Marine Corps.

After training, Miller served on the battleship USS New Mexico in Hawaii. In 1937, he went to China to serve with the 6th Marine Regiment. He was in Shanghai when the Second Sino-Japanese War began. He returned to the U.S. in 1938.

He was promoted to first lieutenant in October 1938. He then commanded a Marine unit at Mare Island Naval Shipyard in California.

Fighting in World War II

As the danger from Japan grew, the Marines created special "defense battalions." These units protected U.S. naval bases in the Pacific. In August 1940, Miller joined the 1st Defense Battalion in San Diego. He moved to Pearl Harbor in February 1941. He became a Captain in November that year.

When Japan attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, Miller helped defend the harbor. Later, he commanded a gun unit at Palmyra Atoll. He was promoted to Major in May 1942.

In February 1943, Miller joined the 16th Defense Battalion as its second-in-command, called the Executive Officer. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel in July 1943. He then worked in San Diego, making sure Marine units had enough weapons and ammunition.

Miller as Executive Officer, 16th Defense Battalion at his desk somewhere in the Pacific.

In February 1944, he went back to Hawaii. He became the commanding officer of the 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines. This unit was part of the 2nd Marine Division. After tough fighting on Tarawa, his regiment needed to rest and train. Miller spent four months training his battalion in Hawaii.

Battles on Saipan and Okinawa

In May 1944, Miller and his battalion sailed to Saipan. On June 15, 1944, they landed on the island. Miller was badly wounded by mortar fire as they approached the beach. Even though he was hurt, he kept leading his battalion. He was wounded again and finally ordered to leave the front lines. For his brave leadership on Saipan, Miller received the Bronze Star Medal with a "Combat V" device. He also received two Purple Heart medals for his injuries.

He recovered in a hospital until January 1945. Then, he returned to the Pacific. He joined the 5th Marine Regiment as their operations officer. They trained on Pavuvu Island after heavy fighting on Peleliu.

Miller also observed the U.S. Army's 7th Infantry Division during battles in the Philippines and Okinawa. On April 4, 1945, during the Battle of Okinawa, he rejoined the 5th Marine Regiment. He took temporary command of the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines when its commander was wounded.

He led his battalion in fierce fighting in the Awacha pocket. This was a strong Japanese defense area with cliffs and gorges. After many attacks by Marines, supported by air, artillery, and naval gunfire, the Japanese resistance ended on May 15, 1945. For his service on Okinawa, Miller earned his second Bronze Star Medal. He then returned to the United States.

After the War: Postwar Service

After World War II, Miller continued his military education. He attended the Command and Staff Course at the Marine Corps Schools in Quantico, Virginia. He then became an instructor there.

From 1948 to 1950, he served with the 1st Marine Division in Camp Pendleton, California. He helped plan their operations and training. In July 1950, he served in the Panama Canal Zone.

Upon returning to the U.S., Miller was promoted to Colonel. He trained troops for amphibious operations (landings from the sea). He also served in Japan in 1952 during the Korean War, helping train amphibious forces.

In July 1953, Miller became the Chief of Staff for the 3rd Marine Division in Camp Pendleton. He moved with them to Japan the next month. In October 1953, he took command of the 4th Marine Regiment in Japan. His regiment helped guard southern Honshū and was ready for quick deployment to other areas.

Later, Miller became an Assistant Chief of Staff for Logistics (supplies and equipment) for the Fleet Marine Force, Pacific. In July 1956, he joined a special group at Marine Corps Base Quantico. This group worked on how the Marines should change to deal with new technologies like helicopters and jet aircraft, and the idea of atomic warfare.

In July 1957, Miller went to London, England. He served as the senior Marine officer on the staff of U.S. Naval Forces in the Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean. He was there during the 1958 Lebanon crisis, a time of tension in Lebanon.

Leading Marine Education

Miller returned to Quantico in July 1959. He became the Deputy Director, then Director, of the Marine Corps Educational Center. On January 1, 1960, he was promoted to brigadier general. His main job was to oversee the education of Marine officers at all stages of their careers. The center had several schools, including the Basic School for new officers and advanced schools for more experienced ones.

In September 1961, he became Director of the Marine Corps Landing Force Development Center. This center developed and tested new tactics and equipment. In June 1962, he took command of the Landing Force Training Unit, Atlantic, in Norfolk.

In this role, Miller's command trained over 46,000 U.S. military members. They also trained over 1,000 members from friendly foreign nations in amphibious operations. He also helped lead Operation Steel Pike, a very large peacetime amphibious exercise with many ships and personnel.

Miller retired on April 1, 1965, after 30 years of service. For his leadership of the Landing Force Training Unit, Atlantic, he received the Legion of Merit.

Retirement and Legacy

After retiring, General Miller lived in Oahu, Hawaii. In 2000, he moved to a hospital in San Diego, California for treatment. He passed away there on July 29, 2000, at the age of 87. He was buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. John C. Miller Jr. was married to Margaret Pohlman and had two daughters, Susan and Jane.

Decorations

Here are the medals and ribbons Brigadier General Miller earned during his distinguished career: