Medal of Honor: Franklin D. Miller – Vietnam War – Kontum Province – January 1970
When his team was shattered deep in enemy territory, he chose to stand alone between them and destruction. Outnumbered, wounded, and surrounded, he fought not to survive—but to ensure his men would.
January 5, 2026
Name: Franklin D. Miller
Rank: Staff Sergeant
Organization: U.S. Army
Unit: 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces
Place: Kontum Province, Republic of Vietnam
Entered Service At: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Born: Elizabeth City, North Carolina
Summary of Action
On 5 January 1970, Staff Sergeant Franklin D. Miller was serving as team leader of an American–Vietnamese long-range reconnaissance patrol operating deep within enemy-controlled territory in Kontum Province, Republic of Vietnam. Shortly after insertion, a booby trap detonated, wounding four members of his patrol. Fully aware that the explosion would alert nearby enemy forces, Staff Sergeant Miller calmly administered first aid and repositioned his team to defensive positions near a steep hillside.
Within minutes, he observed a platoon-sized enemy force advancing toward the patrol. To protect his wounded men, he ordered the team to withdraw uphill to a more secure location. He then deliberately remained behind, alone, to confront the advancing enemy. From his exposed position, Staff Sergeant Miller single-handedly repelled two determined assaults, inflicting heavy losses and forcing the enemy to withdraw in confusion.
Rejoining his patrol, he established contact with a forward air controller and coordinated evacuation. The only viable extraction site was a bomb crater 150 meters away through dense jungle. Staff Sergeant Miller personally reconnoitered the route and led his wounded team to the site. As the evacuation helicopter attempted to extract the patrol, a fierce enemy attack drove it off. Despite being seriously wounded and with every member of his team injured, Staff Sergeant Miller again advanced forward alone, engaging the enemy at close range.
From his exposed position, he repelled two additional attacks until a friendly relief force reached the patrol. His fearless leadership, repeated acts of self-sacrifice, and relentless determination saved the lives of his comrades and prevented the annihilation of his team.
Medal of Honor Citation
Within a few minutes, S/Sgt. Miller saw the lead element of what he estimated to be a platoon-size enemy force moving toward his location. Concerned for the safety of his men, he directed the small team to move up the hill to a more secure position. He remained alone, separated from the patrol, to meet the attack. S/Sgt. Miller single-handedly repulsed 2 determined attacks by the numerically superior enemy force and caused them to withdraw in disorder.
He rejoined his team, established contact with a forward air controller and arranged the evacuation of his patrol. However, the only suitable extraction location in the heavy jungle was a bomb crater some 150 meters from the team location. S/Sgt. Miller reconnoitered the route to the crater and led his men through the enemy-controlled jungle to the extraction site. As the evacuation helicopter hovered over the crater to pick up the patrol, the enemy launched a savage automatic weapon and rocket-propelled grenade attack against the beleaguered team, driving off the rescue helicopter.
S/Sgt. Miller led the team in a valiant defense which drove back the enemy in its attempt to overrun the small patrol. Although seriously wounded and with every man in his patrol a casualty, S/Sgt. Miller moved forward to again single-handedly meet the hostile attackers. From his forward exposed position, S/Sgt. Miller gallantly repelled 2 attacks by the enemy before a friendly relief force reached the patrol location. S/Sgt. Miller’s gallantry, intrepidity in action, and selfless devotion to the welfare of his comrades are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the U.S. Army.
