Local soldier posthumously awarded medal PDF Print
Seminole Chronicle

By Jerriann Sullivan | September 16, 2010

Next month, the nation will remember Staff Sgt. Robert J. Miller, an Oviedo resident, for his heroic acts Jan. 25, 2008 against Taliban forces in the Gowardesh Valley in Afghanistan.

On Oct. 6, President Barack Obama will posthumously award Miller the Medal of Honor "for conspicuous gallantry" during the attack, according to the White House.

Miller's parents, Phil and Maureen Miller, will travel to Washington, D.C., to accept the award for their son. They have waited for more than two years for this day.

"Almost as soon as he was aware of the world, he would talk about becoming a soldier," Maureen Miller said.

Despite Miller's bravery, receiving the Medal of Honor is a long and detailed process, with only 2,898 people having ever received it, according to the Congressional Medal of Honor Society's website.

"We really appreciate how difficult it is to get this award," Maureen Miller said. "It is a combination of raw heroism and being enough evidence."

Miller's raw heroism included suffering from a gunshot wound while allowing his fellow soldiers to find cover.

Since Miller's captain was hit first, he was leading the U.S. and Afghanistan team through about three hours of firefight before receiving a fatal hit.

"It's pretty remarkable," Maureen Miller said. "Just hearing about what he did, knowing that he saved a bunch of lives."

One person who aided in the medal process is Rep. Suzanne Kosmas.

"Staff Sgt. Robert Miller is a true American hero and is deserving of the Medal of Honor," Kosmas said. "His selfless actions in saving the lives of his fellow soldiers demonstrated immeasurable courage."

Kosmas learned of Miller's acts and recommended that his application for the medal be given serious consideration, which brought it to the attention of the president, according to an official in the Kosmas' office.

"Though no medal can truly repay the sacrifice that he has made, or assuage the heartache that his family must bear, it is my hope that this recognition from a grateful nation will bring some solace to all those who knew and loved Rob," Kosmas said.

Miller's heroism is news throughout the country, including the city he called home: Oviedo.

"I'm very happy for the Miller family," former Oviedo mayor Tom Walters said. "I wasn't involved in the process, but I did some inquiries in the background for them. I think it's great."

"In the process, they sent me the citation as it was written up," Walters said. "Staff Sgt. Miller is truly deserving. He was on a ledge, as I recall, somewhat exposed, and managed to pin down the enemy so his unit could get to a safe place. It was heroic."

Miller and his family moved to Oviedo from Wheaton, Ill., shortly after his graduation from Wheaton North High School in August 2003. After the move, Miller enlisted in the United States Army as a Special Forces candidate.

He became a Green Beret in 2005 and served as a weapons sergeant in Alpha Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group, based at Fort Bragg, N.C.

Despite his extensive military career, Miller always made time to visit his family.

"He got really into surfing, and we probably saw more of him here than if we had stayed in Illinois," Maureen Miller said.

Miller's whole family will be attending the ceremony at the White House next month.