Harry Herbert Miller
Encyclopedia
Harry Herbert 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
.
Harry Miller enlisted in the U.S. Navy from the state of Massachusetts
and served during the Spanish-American War on board (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.
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.
Citation:
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
sailor and a recipient of America's highest military decoration—the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
—for his actions in the Spanish-American War
Spanish-American War
The Spanish–American War was a conflict in 1898 between Spain and the United States, effectively the result of American intervention in the ongoing Cuban War of Independence...
.
Biography
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
and served during the Spanish-American War on board (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
Cienfuegos
Cienfuegos is a city on the southern coast of Cuba, capital of Cienfuegos Province. It is located about from Havana, and has a population of 150,000. The city is dubbed La Perla del Sur...
, Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
. For his "extraordinary bravery and coolness" under enemy fire during this operation (the Battle of Cienfuegos
Battle of Cienfuegos
The Battle of Cienfuegos, or the Raid on Cienfuegos, was an engagement of the Spanish-American War, intended by the United States Navy to tighten its blockade of Cuba.-Background:...
), Miller was awarded the Medal of Honor. His brother, Willard Miller
Willard Miller
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.-Biography:...
, 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
Costa Rica
Costa Rica , officially the Republic of Costa Rica is a multilingual, multiethnic and multicultural country in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the southeast, the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east....
, where he died at the age of 88.
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
Noel Shore, Nova Scotia
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. Birth place of one of the famous "Miller Brothers", Harry Herbert Miller. His brother Willard Miller was born in the neighbouring...
in Hants County.
G.O.
General order
In militaries, a general order is a published directive, originated by a commander, and binding upon all personnel under his command, the purpose of which is to enforce a policy or procedure unique to his unit's situation which is not otherwise addressed in applicable service regulations, military...
No.: 521, July 7, 1899.
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
- List of Medal of Honor recipients
- List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Spanish–American War