Lyle H. Miller
Lyle Holcombe Miller | |
---|---|
Born | Athens, Michigan, US | March 10, 1889
Died | March 11, 1973 Pinellas County, Florida, US | (aged 84)
Buried | Burr Oak Cemetery |
Allegiance | United States of America |
Service/ | United States Marine Corps |
Years of service | 1914–1945 |
Rank | Brigadier general |
Service number | 0-663 |
Commands held | Chief of Staff, Samoa Defense Force |
Battles/wars | Veracruz Expedition World War I Yangtze Patrol World War II |
Awards | Legion of Merit |
Lyle Holcombe Miller (March 10, 1889 – March 11, 1973) was an officer of the United States Marine Corps, who reached the rank of brigadier general. He is most noted for his service as chief of staff of Samoa Defense Force during World War II. He disgraced his good service record by incident with Dai Li, Chiang Kai-shek's Military Intelligence Service Chief, in late 1944.[1]
Early career
Lyle H. Miller was born on March 10, 1889, in Athens, Michigan. He attended the local high school and subsequently went to the Albion College, where he later graduated with Bachelor of Arts degree. Miller then worked as an instructor at Wentworth Military Academy in Lexington, Missouri, before was commissioned second lieutenant in the Marine Corps in August 1914. He was subsequently ordered to the instruction for 17 months at the Marine Officers' School, Norfolk, Virginia and took part in the Veracruz Expedition aboard the battleship USS Illinois within the course.[2][1]
Upon the graduation, he served with the
Following his return stateside, Miller was reverted to the rank of captain and assigned to the Marine barracks at
Miller returned to the battleship
He graduated one year later and assumed duties as an instructor within Field Officers Course at Marine Corps Schools Quantico. During this assignment, Miller worked together with Charles D. Barrett and Pedro del Valle on the tentative Marine Corps Landing Operations Manual. While in this capacity, he was promoted to the rank of major in November 1928.
During December 1931, Miller was transferred to
Upon his arrival, he was assigned to the Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, and appointed commanding officer of 1st Battalion, 5th Marines. Miller was subsequently ordered as an instructor to the Marine Barracks Parris Island, South Carolina, in April 1937 and served also as barracks temporary commanding officer at the beginning of July 1937, when Brigadier General James T. Buttrick received transfer orders.[2]
World War II
Miller was promoted to the rank of
However, he left this command after one month and sailed for Samoan Islands, where he became chief of staff of Samoan Defense Force under Major General Charles F. B. Price. For his new assignment, Miller was promoted to the rank of brigadier general in September 1942. It was calm service in comparation with front-line in Guadalcanal at the time. But Miller distinguished himself and received the Legion of Merit for his service there.[3][2][1]
Incident with Dai Li
General Miller left Samoa at the beginning of March 1944, when this command began its deactivation. As an experienced officer, he was ordered to
Donovan ordered Miller to
There were several statements made by General Miller during the night:[4]
- Miller demanded that Dai Li afford us the opportunity of being entertained by Sing-song girls. He requested Dai Li that produce such maidens.
- Miller asked Dai Li about Chiang Kai-shek's new woman and wanted know if this was the reason for his wife's long absence.
- Miller denied that China is a front-rank power. He stated that the country could not even be a 5th- or 6th-rank power and that they were just about 12th.
- Miller stated that China was guilty of "God damn obstructionism".
- Miller asserted that China would now be under Japanese domination if it had not been for the United States of America guarantees that China is a front-rank power and also guarantees China's territorial integrity. According to Miller, 40–50 years will be required for China to assume a leading position.
- Miller also said in order to protect China from USSR, it is necessary for China to have US support.
- Miller repeatedly called Chinese "Chinamen".
- Miller said "You Chinamen must open your eyes and stop sleeping like that idiot over there" (Miller designated one of the Chinese guests as an example what he meant).
- Miller said that in the Philippines he would get Japanese genitalia and ask the Chinese to a dinner at which they would be served.
General Miller's tirade lasted for more than two hours, before he stopped. Another OSS officials, who witnessed the situation, sent a report to Major General William J. Donovan in Washington, D.C. Donovan was really angry about Miller's behavior and ordered him immediately back to the United States.[4]
Upon his return, Donovan fired him from the OSS and gave him two choices. The
Miller died on March 11, 1973, only one day after his 84th birthday. He is buried at Burr Oak Cemetery in Athens, Michigan, together with his wife, Margurite French Miller (1889–1988).
Decorations
Here is the ribbon bar of Brigadier General Lyle H. Miller:[3]
1st Row | Legion of Merit | Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal | ||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2nd Row | Mexican Service Medal | World War I Victory Medal with one battle clasp | Yangtze Service Medal | American Defense Service Medal | ||||||||||||
3rd Row | Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
|
American Campaign Medal | European–African–Middle Eastern Campaign Medal | World War II Victory Medal
|
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Lyle H. Miller Papers – USMC Military History Division". USMC Military History Division. Archived from the original on August 1, 2013. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-7864-9543-6. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
- ^ a b "Valor awards for Lyle H. Miller". valor.militarytimes.com. Militarytimes Websites. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-61251-437-6. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
- ISBN 978-1591149866. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
- ^ "Changes of Duty". Marine Corps Chevron. February 17, 1945. p. 9. Retrieved November 1, 2017 – via Princeton University Library Websites.