Medal of Honor: Oscar F. Miller, World War I, September 28, 1918

Name: Oscar F. Miller
Rank: Major
War: World War I
Date of Action: September 28, 1918
Unit: 361st Infantry, 91st Division
Accredited to: Los Angeles, California

Summary of Action
After days of exhaustion in the Argonne, Major Miller and his battalion met fierce German defenses south of Gesnes. The advance faltered under artillery and machine gun fire, but Miller would not allow retreat. He personally led his command group forward between the front-line companies, rallying his men by sheer courage. A bullet tore through his leg, yet he staggered onward. Another struck his arm, but he pressed ahead, shouting encouragement as the battalion surged through the storm. Then a final shot pierced his abdomen, knocking him down. Even as he lay bleeding, he urged his men to keep moving—“take the next ridge, leave me where I lie.” His men pressed on to victory, inspired by a leader whose final breath was spent driving them forward.

Medal of Honor Citation
MILLER, OSCAR F.
Rank and organization: Major, U.S. Army, 361st Infantry, 91st Division. Place and date: Near Gesnes, France, 28 September 1918. Entered service at: Los Angeles, Calif. Birth: Franklin County, Ark. G.O. No.: 16, W.D. 1919. Citation: After 2 days of intense physical and mental strain, during which Maj. Miller had led his battalion in the front line of the advance through the forest of Argonne, the enemy was met in a prepared position south of Gesnes. Though almost exhausted, he energetically reorganized his battalion and ordered an attack. Upon reaching open ground the advancing line began to waver in the face of machinegun fire from the front and flanks and direct artillery fire. Personally leading his command group forward between his front-line companies, Maj. Miller inspired his men by his personal courage, and they again pressed on toward the hostile position. As this officer led the renewed attack he was shot in the right leg, but he nevertheless staggered forward at the head of his command. Soon afterwards he was again shot in the right arm, but he continued the charge, personally cheering his troops on through the heavy machinegun fire. Just before the objective was reached he received a wound in the abdomen, which forced him to the ground, but he continued to urge his men on, telling them to push on to the next ridge and leave him where he lay. He died from his wounds a few days later.