Harry Herbert Miller

Last updated
Harry Herbert Miller
Harry Herbert Miller.jpg
Harry H. Miller
Born(1879-05-04)May 4, 1879
Noel Shore, Nova Scotia, Canada
Died March 12, 1968(1968-03-12) (aged 88)
Costa Rica
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Navy
Rank Quartermaster Third Class
Unit USS Nashville (PG-7)
Battles/wars Spanish–American War
*Battle of Cienfuegos
Awards Medal of Honor
Relations Willard D. Miller, brother – fellow Medal of Honor recipient

Harry Herbert Miller (May 4, 1879 – March 12, 1968) 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.

United States Navy Naval warfare branch of the United States Armed Forces

The United States Navy (USN) is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. It is the largest and most capable navy in the world and it has been estimated that in terms of tonnage of its active battle fleet alone, it is larger than the next 13 navies combined, which includes 11 U.S. allies or partner nations. with the highest combined battle fleet tonnage and the world's largest aircraft carrier fleet, with eleven in service, and two new carriers under construction. With 319,421 personnel on active duty and 99,616 in the Ready Reserve, the Navy is the third largest of the service branches. It has 282 deployable combat vessels and more than 3,700 operational aircraft as of March 2018, making it the second-largest air force in the world, after the United States Air Force.

Medal of Honor United States of Americas highest military honor

The Medal of Honor is the United States of America's highest and most prestigious personal military decoration that may be awarded to recognize U.S. military service members who have distinguished themselves by acts of valor. The medal is normally awarded by the President of the United States in the name of the U.S. Congress. Because the medal is presented "in the name of Congress", it is often referred to informally as the "Congressional Medal of Honor". However, the official name of the current award is "Medal of Honor." Within the United States Code the medal is referred to as the "Medal of Honor", and less frequently as "Congressional Medal of Honor". U.S. awards, including the Medal of Honor, do not have post-nominal titles, and while there is no official abbreviation, the most common abbreviations are "MOH" and "MH".

Spanish–American War Conflict in 1898 between Spain and the United States

The Spanish–American War was an armed conflict between Spain and the United States in 1898. Hostilities began in the aftermath of the internal explosion of USS Maine in Havana harbor in Cuba, leading to U.S. intervention in the Cuban War of Independence. The war led to emergence of U.S. predominance in the Caribbean region, and resulted in U.S. acquisition of Spain's Pacific possessions. That led to U.S. involvement in the Philippine Revolution and ultimately in the Philippine–American War.

Contents

Biography

Harry H. Miller at Gorga Hospital, Costa Rica, in 1960. Harry Herbert Miller 1960.jpg
Harry H. Miller at Gorga Hospital, Costa Rica, in 1960.

Harry Miller enlisted in the U.S. Navy from the state of Massachusetts and served during the Spanish–American War on board USS Nashville (PG-7) (Gunboat #7). On May 11, 1898, he was one of several men who took part in a boat expedition that cut the underwater telegraph cable off Cienfuegos, Cuba. For his "extraordinary bravery and coolness" under enemy fire during this operation (the Battle of Cienfuegos), Miller was awarded the Medal of Honor. His brother, Willard Miller, also participated in the battle and was awarded the Medal of Honor, making the two men one of only eight pairs of brothers to have received the medal. He attained the rank of Quartermaster Third Class before leaving the service. He eventually moved to Costa Rica, where he died at the age of 88.

Massachusetts State of the United States of America

Massachusetts, officially the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, is the most populous state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It borders on the Atlantic Ocean to the east, the states of Connecticut and Rhode Island to the south, New Hampshire and Vermont to the north, and New York to the west. The state is named after the Massachusett tribe, which once inhabited the east side of the area, and is one of the original thirteen states. The capital of Massachusetts is Boston, which is also the most populous city in New England. Over 80% of Massachusetts's population lives in the Greater Boston metropolitan area, a region influential upon American history, academia, and industry. Originally dependent on agriculture, fishing and trade, Massachusetts was transformed into a manufacturing center during the Industrial Revolution. During the 20th century, Massachusetts's economy shifted from manufacturing to services. Modern Massachusetts is a global leader in biotechnology, engineering, higher education, finance, and maritime trade.

USS <i>Nashville</i> (PG-7)

USS Nashville (PG-7), a gunboat, was the only ship of its class. It was the first of three ships of the United States Navy to hold the name Nashville.

Cienfuegos Municipality in Cuba

Cienfuegos, capital of Cienfuegos Province, is a city on the southern coast of Cuba. It is located about 250 km (160 mi) from Havana and has a population of 150,000. The city is dubbed La Perla del Sur. Cienfuegos literally translates to "one hundred fires"—cien meaning "one hundred", fuegos meaning "fires".

Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: Seaman, U.S. Navy.
Place and date: On board the U.S.S. Nashville, Cienfuegos, Cuba, May 11, 1898.
Entered service at: Massachusetts. Born: May 4, 1879, Noel Shore, Nova Scotia in Hants County.
G.O. No.: 521, July 7, 1899.

Noel Shore, Nova Scotia human settlement in Nova Scotia, Canada

Noel Shore is a community in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, located in the Municipal District of East Hants. The community is named after Noel Doiron and may have originally been named Vil Robere. Acadians left the area during the Acadian Exodus (1710). Birthplace of one of the famous "Miller Brothers", Harry Herbert Miller winner of the American Medal of Honor for actions during the Spanish–American War. His brother Willard Miller was born in the neighbouring community of Maitland, Nova Scotia.

A general order, in military and paramilitary organizations, is a published directive, originated by a commander and binding upon all personnel under his or her command. Its purpose is to enforce a policy or procedure unique to the unit's situation that is not otherwise addressed in applicable service regulations, military law, or public law.

Citation:

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.

See also

Related Research Articles

John James Doran was a Boatswain's Mate, 2nd Class in the United States Navy during the Spanish–American War.

Benjamin F. Baker United States Navy Medal of Honor recipient

Benjamin Franklin Baker was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of America's highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor. He is the only Medal of Honor recipient from Cape Cod.

Austin J. Durney United States Navy Medal of Honor recipient

Austin Joseph Durney was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of America's highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor.

William Meyer (Medal of Honor) United States Navy Medal of Honor recipient

William Meyer was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of America's highest military decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in the Battle of Cienfuegos during the Spanish–American War.

Willard Miller United States Navy Medal of Honor recipient

Willard Dwight Miller 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.

Albert E Beyer was a United States Navy Coxswain received the Medal of Honor for actions during the Battle of Cienfuegos during the Spanish–American War. He was one of 52 sailors and Marines awarded the Medal for actions during that battle. Albert is buried in the Mount Moriah Cemetery in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the Naval Asylum plot.

Herbert L. Foss United States Navy Medal of Honor recipient

Herbert Louis Foss was a United States Navy Seaman who received the Medal of Honor for actions during the Spanish–American War.

Corporal Edward Sullivan of the. United States Marine Corps was born May 16, 1870, in Cork, County Cork, Ireland. He died March 11, 1955, at Uxbridge, Massachusetts, USA.

Anton Olsen (Medal of Honor) United States Navy Medal of Honor recipient

Ordinary Seaman Anton Olsen was a United States Navy quartermaster who received the Medal of Honor.

David Duffy Barrow was an American sailor serving in the United States Navy during the Spanish–American War who received the Medal of Honor for bravery.

Thomas Hoban was a coxswain serving in the United States Navy during the Spanish–American War who received the Medal of Honor for bravery.

Ernest Krause was a coxswain serving in the United States Navy during the Spanish–American War who received the Medal of Honor for bravery.

Johan J. Johansson was an ordinary seaman serving in the United States Navy during the Spanish–American War who received the Medal of Honor for bravery.

William Levery was an apprentice first class serving in the United States Navy during the Spanish–American War who received the Medal of Honor for bravery.

William Hart was a machinist first class serving in the United States Navy during the Spanish–American War who received the Medal of Honor for bravery.

Henry Hendrickson was a seaman serving in the United States Navy during the Spanish–American War who received the Medal of Honor for bravery.

John Phillip Riley or Riley was a landsman serving in the United States Navy during the Spanish–American War who received the Medal of Honor for bravery.

Hermann William Kuchmeister was a private serving in the United States Marine Corps during the Spanish–American War who received the Medal of Honor for bravery.

Robert Volz was a seaman serving in the United States Navy during the Spanish–American War who received the Medal of Honor for bravery.

Gustav Adolf Sundquist was an ordinary seaman serving in the United States Navy during the Spanish–American War who received the Medal of Honor for bravery.

References

PD-icon.svg This article incorporates  public domain material from websites or documents ofthe Naval History & Heritage Command .