What a fantastic story! Thanks for sharing. I also note he is sporting a rather sharp looking Beard - I imagine no one dared to give him grief about it!
1) this man's memory deserves to be cherished with a ship named after him (and yes, I do have my priorities in order, sir). And not a LCS or an LSD or a T-AO , but a real fighting warship: a DDG would be appropriate and worthy to carry his name.
2) According to his Wiki page, "Miller was twice recommended for the Medal of Honor, but it was never granted." The honorable Senators and Representatives from his birth state of Alabama should get off their behinds and get this paperwork moving.
This fighting spirit of his is inspiration for all that wear the Blue and Gold.
Outstanding FBF selection! I first learned of LT Miller’s exploits reading Papa Scoobs’ weathered copy of U.S. Destroyer Operations in World War Two; recently a dedicated book has gone a long way to do justice to this remarkable story: The Castaway's War: One Man's Battle against Imperial Japan https://a.co/d/69mCyUN
You're right. I can't. I will point out that he was exceptional even within his generation. Not everyone ended up starting for a NCAA Division I team then, and they don't now. A generation is made up of individuals. Their achievements and shortcoming of these individuals fall across a spectrum. Though I cannot name a single American Naval officer with the grit and determination of one Hugh Barr Miller Jr., I would not place a bet that such an individual does not exist in Gen Z.
One point about CAPT Miller’s final gong count - his retirement portrait, posted on the website apparently run by his family, shows that was the was the recipient of the Navy Cross “in lieu of two Silver Stars and six Bronze Stars” (not sure what that means) and two Purple Hearts: https://lthughbarrmillerjr.com/More-About-The-Book/
A friend's uncle, Lt Albert Oberg was aboard Strong during the battle. Oberg died of his wounds shortly after the battle. I dedicated the book I wrote about the Rabaul Campaign (Rabaul 1943-44: Reducing Japan's great island fortress) to Albert and his nephew Jim Oberg.
They're still out there. But, like procurement the Silver Star/xxxx Cross/MoH production line is hosed. So, it takes years instead of months and the media doesn't cover it.
Great man, great story--and a wonderful trip back in history to "This Is Your Life."
You have a great talent for finding inspiring history and keeping it alive. Thanks for this!
Why is the no USS Hugh Barr Miller?
You have a Harvey Milk. Get your priorities in order.
Sorry Sir, I will get back in line!
In all seriousness, he should be recognized on a Burke instead of Senators, even if they did serve honorably
Because Murtha needed a hull.
"There are eight million stories in the naked city. This has been one of them."
The Naked City
A real life action movie screenplay. Betchya' that first steak was exquisite and savored.
Story’s been kicking around Hollyweird for a while now - hopefully somebody will step up: https://variety.com/2016/film/news/world-war-ii-drama-castaways-war-movie-1201827611/amp/
Full-bore.
That picture of the Strong reminded me. My grandfather was an RT3 on the Waller (DD-466) in the Pacific closer to the end of the war.
They don’t make them like that anymore.
I am absolutely speechless.
What a fantastic story! Thanks for sharing. I also note he is sporting a rather sharp looking Beard - I imagine no one dared to give him grief about it!
See this YouTube Channel’s description:
https://youtube.com/@lthughbarrmillerjr4238
$%^&*(*
That's what I was looking for (see my comment above). Obviously my Google-Fu is Fu-ed up. Thanks.
Had to recycle CISA-InfoSci forensics skills plus assist from Apple-iPadOSiri (AIbot)
Note my icon is an arrested OODA Loop!
https://www.google.com/search?q=what+is+%22arrested+ooda+loop%22&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwj7tcX57f3_AhVVNN4AHfU0D_oQ2-cCegQIABAD&oq=what+is+%22arrested+ooda+loop%22&gs_lcp=ChJtb2JpbGUtZ3dzLXdpei1pbWcQAzIFCAAQogRQ7yZY3ztgtEFoAHAAeACAAWuIAZQCkgEDMS4ymAEAoAEBwAEB&sclient=mobile-gws-wiz-img&ei=Z66oZLvmGNXo-LYP9em80A8&bih=664&biw=390&client=safari&safe=active&hl=en
Here's the obit from the pilot who rescued him. https://www.startribune.com/goodwin-luck-was-good-lucky-and-courageous/94548109/
2 thoughts:
1) this man's memory deserves to be cherished with a ship named after him (and yes, I do have my priorities in order, sir). And not a LCS or an LSD or a T-AO , but a real fighting warship: a DDG would be appropriate and worthy to carry his name.
2) According to his Wiki page, "Miller was twice recommended for the Medal of Honor, but it was never granted." The honorable Senators and Representatives from his birth state of Alabama should get off their behinds and get this paperwork moving.
This fighting spirit of his is inspiration for all that wear the Blue and Gold.
BRAVO ZULU
Outstanding FBF selection! I first learned of LT Miller’s exploits reading Papa Scoobs’ weathered copy of U.S. Destroyer Operations in World War Two; recently a dedicated book has gone a long way to do justice to this remarkable story: The Castaway's War: One Man's Battle against Imperial Japan https://a.co/d/69mCyUN
Missing URL:
https://usnhistory.navylive.dodlive.mil/Recent/Article-View/Article/2686240/strong-crew-and-rescue-set-sailor-standards-for-initiative-and-toughness/
Wow.... You can't name one American Naval officer of today that would or could do that.
This generation cries when you misgender them.
You're right. I can't. I will point out that he was exceptional even within his generation. Not everyone ended up starting for a NCAA Division I team then, and they don't now. A generation is made up of individuals. Their achievements and shortcoming of these individuals fall across a spectrum. Though I cannot name a single American Naval officer with the grit and determination of one Hugh Barr Miller Jr., I would not place a bet that such an individual does not exist in Gen Z.
It would take something cataclysmic in order to bring out a MacArthur, Puller, Nimitz, or Autry out of gen Z.
They're there. We'll have to hope we have a President like Lincoln or FDR that reached down into the ranks for the less senior but more accomplished.
One point about CAPT Miller’s final gong count - his retirement portrait, posted on the website apparently run by his family, shows that was the was the recipient of the Navy Cross “in lieu of two Silver Stars and six Bronze Stars” (not sure what that means) and two Purple Hearts: https://lthughbarrmillerjr.com/More-About-The-Book/
Wow. Just wow!! I do recall hearing his story some time ago---thanks for the reminder of what warrior spirit really looks like.
A friend's uncle, Lt Albert Oberg was aboard Strong during the battle. Oberg died of his wounds shortly after the battle. I dedicated the book I wrote about the Rabaul Campaign (Rabaul 1943-44: Reducing Japan's great island fortress) to Albert and his nephew Jim Oberg.
where do we get such men... wow!
They were real American's back then.
Back then hell even a generation ago, valor was common.
I was always amazed at my Dad and the men of that generations ability to embrace the suck and just do what was needed in war and at home.
They were Men back then and their children learned from them.
They're still out there. But, like procurement the Silver Star/xxxx Cross/MoH production line is hosed. So, it takes years instead of months and the media doesn't cover it.
Story sounded familiar, so I did a bit of research.
It seems the adventure of Lt. Hugh Barr Miller was made into an episode of the television show "Navy Log" on Nov. 21 1956; season 2, episode 6.
Did some more research, closest I could come to finding the episode was through something called "Thomson-multimedia.com".