Willard Miller
Encyclopedia
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
.
Willard Miller was born in Maitland, Nova Scotia
on June 5, 1877. He 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 . On May 11, 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
).
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 eight pairs of brothers to be awarded the medal.
Miller left the Navy in 1906 and later served in the U.S. Lighthouse Service
.
He died on February 19, 1959 at age 81 and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery
, Arlington County, Virginia
. His grave can be found in Section 46, Lot 15.
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
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
on June 5, 1877. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy from the state of Massachusetts
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 as a crew member of the gunboat . On May 11, 1898 he took part in a small boat operation that cut the underwater telegraph cable
Submarine communications cable
A submarine communications cable is a cable laid on the sea bed between land-based stations to carry telecommunication signals across stretches of ocean....
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...
, and received the Medal of Honor for his conduct during the action (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's younger brother, Harry Herbert Miller
Harry Herbert Miller
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.-Biography:...
, was also awarded the Medal of Honor for the same action, making the two men one of only eight pairs of brothers to be awarded the medal.
Miller left the Navy in 1906 and later served in the U.S. Lighthouse Service
United States Lighthouse Service
The United States Lighthouse Service, also known as the Bureau of Lighthouses, was the agency of the US Federal Government that was responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of all lighthouses in the United States from the time of its creation in 1910 until 1939...
.
He died on February 19, 1959 at age 81 and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington County, Virginia, is a military cemetery in the United States of America, established during the American Civil War on the grounds of Arlington House, formerly the estate of the family of Confederate general Robert E. Lee's wife Mary Anna Lee, a great...
, Arlington County, Virginia
Arlington County, Virginia
Arlington County is a county in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The land that became Arlington was originally donated by Virginia to the United States government to form part of the new federal capital district. On February 27, 1801, the United States Congress organized the area as a subdivision of...
. His grave can be found in Section 46, Lot 15.
Medal of Honor citation
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, May 11, 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