Thomas H. Miller
Thomas Hulbert Miller | |
|---|---|
Lieutenant General | |
| Commands held | 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Deputy Chief of Staff (Air), Headquarters Marine Corps |
| Battles/wars | World War II Korean War Vietnam War |
| Awards | Navy Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Merit Distinguished Flying Cross Air Medal |
Lieutenant General Thomas H. Miller (June 3, 1923 – November 27, 2007), was a
He was the first American to fly the Marine Corps' newAV-8A Harrier jet, capable of vertical takeoff and landing,[4] orchestrating its procurement for the Marine Corps and oversee development of the concept during his career. For this effort, Miller was known as "the father of STOVL
(short take-off and vertical landing) aviation in the USMC."
Education
Lieutenant General Miller was born June 3, 1923, in San Antonio, Texas.University of Maryland. He was also a graduate of the Amphibious Warfare School, Senior Course, Quantico, Virginia.[7]
Military service
Miller enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve in June 1942 shortly after the outbreak of
Second Lieutenant
and designated a Naval Aviator on March 1, 1943.
WWII
Miller trained at
Test pilot
After WWII, he graduated from the first
YP-59 jet fighter and many of the earliest helicopters.[10]
In between service in Korea and Vietnam, Miller was assigned as officer-in-charge of the Marine team participating in the Fleet Introduction Program (FIP) for the evaluation and introduction of the new
F4H-1 (later the F-4B) Weapons System, during which time he set the 500-kilometer Closed Course World Speed Record at 1,216.78 miles per hour at Edwards Air Force Base, California, on September 5, 1960.[11]
In 1965, General Miller was assigned to head the U.S. Marine Corps Air Weapons Systems Requirements section. His development of the military helicopter during this time helped generate a new level of helicopter capability for civilian use in a broad range of applications, ranging from police and Medivac work to corporate executive transportation. He was the first American to fly the Marine Corps' new AV-8A jet, capable of vertical takeoff and landing, and in April 1968, he was the first to fly the Phantom jet coast to coast without refueling.[12]
Korean War
Miller participated in combat operations in Korea with Marine Attack Squadron 323, serving as both the operations officer and executive officer. In May 1953, he served in the Joint Operations Center in
Seoul, Korea
, as Marine intelligence and air targets officer. It was during the Korean War that he saw the potential of then-embryonic helicopters for the search and rescue of downed airmen.
Vietnam War
John H. Glenn Jr.
, September 1960.Miller served as executive officer, Marine
Fighter/Attack Squadron 513, deployed to the South Vietnam in May 1965. He was promoted to brigadier general
in August 1969, and was ordered to South Vietnam in December 1969, where he served as assistant chief of staff, and later as the chief of staff, III Marine Amphibious Force.
Staff assignments
In January 1971, Miller was assigned as assistant wing commander, and then commander,
MCAS Cherry Point
.
During General Officer confirmation consideration on the Senator floor in 1975, Senator Fleet Marine Force Pacific. In August 1975, he was deputy chief of staff for aviation at Headquarters Marine Corps[13]
where he led the successful effort to develop and procure the improved AV-8B Harrier and to obtain funds to launch the unique tilt rotor V-STOL V-22 Osprey Transport.
Retirement
He retired from active duty on July 1, 1979, as a lieutenant general. After retirement, Miller served on the
Smithsonian Air and Space Museum.[14]
He died of cancer at his home in Arlington, Virginia, on November 27, 2007, and was interred at Arlington National Cemetery.[15]
Awards and honors
Miller's personal decorations and awards included the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Air Medal.[16]
- Miller was the recipient of 1979 Silver Hawk Award to honor the active duty Marine Aviator or Marine Naval Flight Officer holding the earliest designation date.[17]
- On November 13, 2000 Senator John Glenn, a close friend of Miller's, presented him with the Williams Trophy for his "leadership in the evolution of vertical flight," and "lifelong dedication to aviation safety and improvement." The Williams Trophy, established in 1996 is awarded annually to honor those "whose leadership, vision and dedication in the application of aviation or space has enriched the quality of life on earth."[18]
- Yuma's chapter of the Marine Corps Aviation Association is named in honor of Miller.[19]
- In 2004, Miller was named the honorary chairman of the 33rd annual Marine Corps Aviation Association symposium and convention.[20]
- LGen Miller was selected to the Naval Aviation Hall of Honor in 2010.[21]
- Miller was the recipient of National Aeronautic Association's Cliff Henderson Award for Achievement[22][23]
References
- ^ "Military Benefits News and Resources".
- ^ "F-4 Phantom II".
- ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-02-27. Retrieved 2010-03-31.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Military Benefits News and Resources".
- ^ "Official Biography: Lieutenant General Thomas H. Miller". Archived from the original on 2012-03-18. Retrieved 2010-03-31.
- ^ "SCENE (Online) :: The Magazine of Schreiner University". Archived from the original on 2006-09-02. Retrieved 2010-03-31.
- ^ "Official Biography: Lieutenant General Thomas H. Miller". Archived from the original on 2012-03-18. Retrieved 2010-03-31.
- ^ LtGen Thomas H. Miller, USMC, Interview by Benis M. Frank, 16 December 1982, Washington Navy Yard, transcript, Marine Corps Oral History Collection, MCHC.
- ^ Marine Corps Aviation Chronolog: Eagles in Green Marine Corps Aviation Association, By Turner Publishing, p. 12.
- ^ "Official Biography: Lieutenant General Thomas H. Miller". Archived from the original on 2012-03-18. Retrieved 2010-03-31.
- ^ "Military Benefits News and Resources".
- ^ "Official Biography: Lieutenant General Thomas H. Miller". Archived from the original on 2012-03-18. Retrieved 2010-03-31.
- ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-12-06. Retrieved 2010-03-31.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Official Biography: Lieutenant General Thomas H. Miller". Archived from the original on 2012-03-18. Retrieved 2010-03-31.
- ^ Burial Detail: Miller, Thomas Hulbert – ANC Explorer
- ^ "Official Biography: Lieutenant General Thomas H. Miller". Archived from the original on 2012-03-18. Retrieved 2010-03-31.
- ^ "Marine Corps Aviation Association (MCAA) | Quantico, Virginia". Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2010-03-31.
- ^ "Washington Airports Task Force - Latest News - August 2000". Archived from the original on 2005-01-12. Retrieved 2010-03-31.
- ^ "Tom Miller Squadron changes command, unveils display". Archived from the original on 2011-06-29. Retrieved 2010-03-31.
- ^ "Home". millersquadron.com.
- ^ Fly-By Magazine, Vol 29, Issue 3, Fall 2009, p. 19.
- ^ "Aviation Week's Aviation Week & Space Technology". Archived from the original on 2004-12-14. Retrieved 2010-03-31.
- ^ "NAA: National Aeronautic Association". Archived from the original on 2006-01-01. Retrieved 2010-03-31.