1 of 2 | President Barack Obama puts his arm on Paul and Maureen Miller after Obama posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor to their son Staff Sergeant Miller, in the East Room at the White House in Washington on October 6, 2010. Miller scarified his own life to save the lives of his teammates and 15 Afghanistan National Army Soldiers during a patrol in Afghanistan. UPI/Kevin Dietsch |
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WASHINGTON, Oct. 6 (UPI) -- President Barack Obama Wednesday awarded the Medal of Honor to Staff Sgt. Robert J. Miller, killed in Afghanistan in 2008.
Obama told Miller's family the Green Beret "endures in the pride of his parents. Phil and Maureen, you raised a remarkable son. Today and in the years to come, may you find some comfort in knowing that Rob gave his life doing what he loved -- protecting his friends and defending his country. You gave your oldest son to America, and America is forever in your debt."
His six younger brothers and sisters also attended the ceremony in the East Room of the White House.
The president said Miller led his patrol, firing continuously and throwing grenades despite being surrounded by 150 insurgents in a remote Afghan valley, and despite being wounded. Miller told his men to withdraw and then went toward the enemy, radioing in their positions, before disappearing.
"One of his teammates surely spoke for all of them when he said of Rob, 'I would not be alive today if not for his ultimate sacrifice,'" Obama said.
The Defense Department said in a report on the battle that Miller saved the lives of seven U.S. and 15 Afghan soldiers.
Miller, 24 when he died, grew up in Wheaton, Ill. St. Michael Parish School there held a special mass to honor his life Wednesday morning, WGN-TV reported.
He enlisted in the U.S. Army in August 2003 and became a Green Beret in 2005, serving as a weapons sergeant in Alpha Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), based at Fort Bragg, N.C.
Members of Miller's unit and top Defense Department officials were at the ceremony.
