MOH

Medal of Honor: Gary Lee Miller – U.S. Army – Vietnam War

In the darkness of the jungle, a reconnaissance patrol suddenly came under attack. Already gravely wounded, their platoon leader made a final, selfless decision that saved his men.

February 17, 2026

undefinedName: Gary Lee Miller
Rank: First Lieutenant
Branch: U.S. Army
Unit: Company A, 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry DivisionundefinedPlace: Binh Duong Province, Republic of Vietnam
Entered Service At: Roanoke, Virginia
Born: 19 March 1947, Covington, Virginia

Summary of Action

On the night of 16 February 1969, Company A, 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, conducted an ambush against a hostile force infiltrating from Cambodian sanctuaries into Binh Duong Province. After contact with the enemy was broken, First Lieutenant Gary L. Miller, serving as a platoon leader, led a reconnaissance patrol through dense tropical vegetation and darkness to search the area for enemy casualties.

As the patrol moved cautiously forward, it was suddenly engaged by hostile forces. During the intense exchange of fire, Lt. Miller was seriously wounded. Despite his injuries, he continued to direct his men as they fought back with devastating effect against the enemy.

In the midst of the engagement, an enemy grenade landed among the patrol. Instantly recognizing the mortal danger to his men, Lt. Miller, though already gravely wounded, located the grenade in the dim light and threw himself upon it, absorbing the full force of the explosion with his body.

His self-sacrificing action saved the lives of the nearby members of his patrol. Through his extraordinary courage and complete disregard for his own safety, Lt. Miller embodied the highest traditions of the United States Army.

Medal of Honor Citation

MILLER, GARY L.

Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Company A, 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division.
Place and date: Binh Duong Province, Republic of Vietnam, 16 February 1969.
Entered service at: Roanoke, Va.
Born: 19 March 1947, Covington, Va.

Citation:
For conspicuous intrepidity and gallantry in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. First Lt. Miller, Infantry, Company A, was serving as a platoon leader at night when his company ambushed a hostile force infiltrating from Cambodian sanctuaries. After contact with the enemy was broken, 1st Lt. Miller led a reconnaissance patrol from their prepared positions through the early evening darkness and dense tropical growth to search the area for enemy casualties. As the group advanced they were suddenly attacked. First Lt. Miller was seriously wounded. However, the group fought back with telling effect on the hostile force. An enemy grenade was thrown into the midst of the friendly patrol group and all took cover except 1st Lt. Miller, who in the dim light located the grenade and threw himself on it, absorbing the force of the explosion with his body. His action saved nearby members of his patrol from almost certain serious injury. The extraordinary courage and selflessness displayed by this officer were an inspiration to his comrades and are in the highest traditions of the U.S. Army.