John H. Miller was born on April 16, 1925, in San Angelo, Texas, and graduated from the Axtell High School in June 1942. He then entered the Texas A&M University, where he was active in the football team and also was a member of the ROTC unit. Miller left the university in order to enlist in the Marine Corps Reserve in May 1943 and following the boot camp and service stateside, he took part in the Battle of Okinawa as a Radar Repair Technician in May 1945.[1][2]
Miller decided to pursue a career in the Marines and was commissioned second lieutenant on June 3, 1949. He was subsequently ordered to the Basic School at Quantico, Virginia, for officer training, which he completed in June 1950. Miller then joined the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines and embarked for Korea as commander of the light machine gun platoon in "I" Company. He led his unit during the combat operations in Chosin Reservoir and was promoted to first lieutenant in June 1951.[1][4]
Miller then returned to the China Lake and assumed duty as executive officer, Marine Corps Guided Missile Test Unit. He was promoted to major in January 1959 and was transferred to the Headquarters Marine Corps in July of that year. Miller served as Guidance Missile/Ordnance Officer in the Logistics Division until July 1962, when he was ordered to Camp Pendleton, California for duty as executive officer, Materiel Supply and Maintenance Battalion, 1st Force Service Regiment.[1]
In September 1963, Miller departed for Okinawa, Japan, where he assumed duty as Operations officer (S-3), 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines, 3rd Marine Division. He remained there until October 1964, when he was transferred to Hawaii, where he joined the headquarters, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific under famous lieutenant general Victor H. Krulak as Plans Officer in logistics section. While in this capacity, Miller was promoted to lieutenant colonel in July 1965.[1][2]
As the commanding officer of Headquarters and Service Battalion, Miller ran the day-to-day operations within the headquarters of Force Logistics Command (FLC) and coordinated the work of personnel, intelligence, operations, logistics and communications sections of the FLC. He held that command until the beginning of December 1969 and received the Legion of Merit with Combat "V" for his service with FLC.[3]
He was subsequently ordered to Okinawa, where he assumed duty as chief of staff, Marine Corps Base Camp Butler under future Commandant, Robert H. Barrow. Miller was promoted to colonel in January 1970 and served on Okinawa until the end of 1972. He was decorated with second Legion of Merit for his service at Camp Butler in connections with support operations during the later phase of Vietnam War.[3][2]
General's duty
Upon his return to the United States, Miller was appointed deputy director of development, Office of the Chief of Research and Development, Department of the Army in Washington, D.C., and remained in that capacity until his promotion to brigadier general on July 2, 1974. He received the Meritorious Service and Joint Service Commendation Medals for his service in the Department of the Army.[1]
His first general's billet was the capacity of deputy commander, Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic (FMFLANT) with headquarters at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia. Miller served as deputy to Lieutenant General Robert L. Nichols and was co-responsible for the Marine landing force that was spread across the Atlantic Ocean and on the East Coast of the United States.[1]
In May 1975, Miller was appointed commanding general, Force Troops, Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina and commanded all independent units under FMFLANT such as support artillery units, antiaircraft artillery units, military police battalions, separate engineer units and other miscellaneous force units. Since February 1976, he also held additional duty as Commander 2nd Force Service Support Group, Atlantic.[1]
While in this capacity, Miller held the responsibility for several training facilities (The Basic School, Officer Candidates School, Marine Corps Command and Staff College and others) and oversaw the Marine Corps Officer training until October 1, 1980. While at Quantico, he was promoted to lieutenant general on June 13, 1979.[1]
While in this capacity, Miller held additional duty as commanding general, II Marine Amphibious Force and retired from the Marine Corps after 38 years of active service on September 1, 1984. He was decorated with the Navy Distinguished Service Medal during his retirement ceremony.[1][3][2]
Retirement
Following the retirement from the Marine Corps, Miller settled in College Station, Texas, and was active in the Marine Corps Historical Foundation. He also helped his granddaughters with their Cat Spring Yaupon Tea business strategy. His wife Virginia died of cancer on January 30, 2012, at the age of 87. They had three children: John H. Jr., Danny and daughter Melissa.[7][5][8]
Miller was inducted into Texas A&M University Corps of Cadets Hall of Honor in 2019.
Decorations
A complete list of the general's medals and decorations include:[3]
Robert Edward Haebel was a United States Marine Corps major general whose last command was Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. He retired in 1987 after 42 years of service. He was interred with honors at Arlington National Cemetery September 16, 2017.
Robert Houston Pepper was an officer of the United States Marine Corps with the rank of lieutenant general, who is most noted for his work in the development of the Marine defense battalions during World War II and later as commanding general of the Fleet Marine Force, Pacific or 3rd Marine Division.
Henry William Buse Jr. was a lieutenant general in the United States Marine Corps. He was Chief of Staff, Headquarters Marine Corps and later commanding general of the Fleet Marine Force Pacific. Following his retirement from the Marine Corps, Buse served as assistant to three former presidents of the U.S. Olympic Committee.
Michael Patrick Ryan was a highly decorated officer of the United States Marine Corps with the rank of major general. He is most noted for his service as a company commander during Battle of Tarawa, where he earned the Navy Cross, the United States military's second-highest decoration awarded for valor in combat. Ryan later served in Korean and Vietnam Wars and ended his career as director of Marine Corps Reserve. Together with Colonel James L. Fowler, he co-founded the Marine Corps Marathon.
Donn John Robertson was a highly decorated officer of the United States Marine Corps with the rank of lieutenant general. He is most noted for his service as commanding general of III Marine Amphibious Force and 1st Marine Division during Vietnam War.
Lewis Jefferson Fields was a highly decorated officer of the United States Marine Corps with the rank of lieutenant general. He served with 1st Marine Division during Vietnam War and later as commanding general of United States Marine Corps Development and Education Command.
Wood Barbee Kyle was a highly decorated officer of the United States Marine Corps with the rank of major general. Kyle received two Silver Stars for gallantry in action during Pacific Campaign in World War II. He later took part in the Vietnam War and distinguished himself as commanding general of the 3rd Marine Division.
Richard Garfield Weede was a highly decorated officer of the United States Marine Corps with the rank of lieutenant general. He served in World War II, Korea and during the early phase of Vietnam War and completed his career as commanding general of Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic.
William Robert Collins was a highly decorated officer of United States Marine Corps with the rank of major general. As lieutenant colonel, Collins distinguished himself as Tank Battalion Commander during Iwo Jima battle, but he is most noted for his service as commanding general of III Marine Expeditionary Force at the beginning of Vietnam War.
Ormond Ralph Simpson was a highly decorated officer of the United States Marine Corps with the rank of lieutenant general, who held a number of important assignments throughout his career. He is most noted as commanding general of 1st Marine Division during Vietnam War and later as director of personnel and deputy chief of staff for manpower at Headquarters Marine Corps.
Fred Elmore Haynes Jr. was a United States Marine Corps major general who served in World War II and the Vietnam War. He completed his Marine Corps career as deputy chief of staff for Research, Development and Studies at Headquarters Marine Corps. He was the older brother of actor and Dallas television personality, Jerry Haynes aka Mr. Peppermint, and uncle of musician and artist Gibby Haynes.
William George Joslyn was a decorated officer in the United States Marine Corps with the rank of major general. A veteran of three wars, Joslyn distinguished himself in the Korean War and rose to the rank of general during the Vietnam War. He completed his career as commanding general, 2nd Marine Division.
Herman Poggemeyer Jr. was a decorated officer in the United States Marine Corps with the rank of major general. A veteran of three wars, he was severely wounded during the Recapture of Guam in July 1944. Poggemeyer later distinguished himself during Korean War and Vietnam and reached the general's rank in early 1970s. He completed his career as commanding general, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune.
George William Smith was a decorated officer in the United States Marine Corps who rose to the rank of major general. He began his 34-year career as an Enlisted Reservist during World War II, later integrating into the regular Marine Corps and distinguishing himself as commanding officer, 1st Battalion, 9th Marines during the Vietnam War. His last assignment was commanding general, 3rd Marine Division on Okinawa, Japan.
James Dale Beans is a retired officer of the United States Marine Corps with the rank of brigadier general. He is most noted for his service as the assistant chief of staff for Command, Control, Communications, and Computer, Intelligence and Interoperability Department and as director, Intelligence Division, Headquarters Marine Corps. He is the son of Brigadier General Fred D. Beans.
Robert Burneston Luckey was a decorated officer in the United States Marine Corps with the rank of lieutenant general. A veteran of several wars, Luckey completed his career as commanding general, Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic.
John Carroll Miller Jr. was a decorated officer in the United States Marine Corps with the rank of Brigadier general. A veteran of the Pacific War, he was wounded twice and received decorations for valor on Saipan and Okinawa. He remained in the Marines and retired as Brigadier general and Commanding general, Landing Force Training Command, Atlantic.
Wilbur Frank Simlik was a highly decorated major general in the United States Marine Corps. A veteran of World War II, he distinguished himself as platoon leader of the 3rd Battalion, 25th Marines, during the Iwo Jima campaign and received the Silver Star for bravery. Simlik remained in the Marine Corps Reserve following the war, but was recalled to active duty during the Korean War and distinguished himself again as rifle company commander.
Frank Edmund Garretson was an American military officer who served in the United States Marine Corps with the rank of brigadier general. A veteran of World War II, he distinguished himself as commanding officer of Company F, 2nd Battalion, 24th Marines, 4th Marine Division during the attack on Namur Island, Kwajalein Atoll, on February 1–2, 1944 and received the Navy Cross, the United States' second-highest decoration awarded for valor in combat.
William Charles Chip was a decorated officer in the United States Marine Corps with the rank of major general. A veteran of three wars, Chip distinguished himself as battalion executive officer in Korea and later as commanding general, Task Force Hotel during Vietnam War.
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