17209 ROBERT CHARLES MILLER
29 Aug 1925 - 21 May 1993
Died in Annapolis, MD.
Interred in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA

ROBERT CHARLES MILLER was the first of two sons born to Clinton and Philinda Miller in New Canaan, CT. The family later moved to Stratford, CT, where Bob spent his youth.

While at Stratford High School, Bob was a member of the Drum and Bugle Corps and the Boy's State Scholastic Club, was the first baseman, and was active in his church. During summers, Bob supervised local playgrounds and, before graduating, managed a large playground where he also taught swimming. That early development of leadership skills, along with his demonstrated desire to serve him to attend West Point and become an Army officer..

Due to WWII, many young Americans either enlisted or were drafted into service by the summer of 1943. Following high school graduation, Bob enlisted, and in November, was assigned to the Military Police Corps at \Ft. Devens, MA. He took the competitive exam and earned an alternate appointment to West Point. He was reassigned to the Amherst College West Point Preparatory Course and, ultimately, to Ft. Benning, GA, awaiting his entry. On 23 Jun 1945, he received his principal appointment to West Point and reported nine days later.

Bob took Beast Barracks and Plebe year in stride. As a cadet, he was elected to the Ring Committee, was an outstanding scorer on the volleyball team, and an enthusiastic participant in several other intramural sports. He joined the Weight Lifting Club, where others remembered him for the "Popeye Pose" he struck after each workout, and which he was known to strike throughout his military career, and even into retirement!

Upon graduation, Bob was commissioned in the Infantry, completed the Ground General Course at Ft. Riley, KS, and attended the Basic Course at Ft. Benning. He relished returning to Ft. Benning as a new lieutenant instead of a private first class! In January 1950, Bob met Gerry Earlene Davis at the post theater and was determined to spend every free moment with her. When Bob received orders to Puerto Rico in April 1950, he marched to Gerry's home with suitcase in hand and informed her that they had been reassigned, whereupon she asked what he meant. He replied, "Well, I want you to be my wife!" They ended their three month courtship and eloped on 14 April 1950.

Their immediate time together was short. Bob was ordered to Korea in August of that year, and Gerry headed to Connecticut to await his return with her new in- laws. Shortly after arriving in Korea, Bob was thrust into combat and, thereafter, awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge as a member of Company G, 65th Infantry Regiment of the 3rd Infantry Division. In November 1950, he suffered fragmentation.wounds in both legs, requiring his evacuation to a hospital ship for treatment and then to Yokohama for recuperation. His rapid recovery returned him to duty with the division, and he completed his tour as the regimental liaison officer.

Following Korea, Bob was assigned to Ft. Benning for the Infantry Career Course, and retained as an author-instructor; followed by three years at Schofield Barracks, HI; and then to Ft. Meade, MD. By 1961, the war in Viet Nam was expanding, and the day after Christmas that year, Bob was reassigned to Saigon. Gerry and their three young daughters returned to Connecticut to live with Bob's mother. He returned to the States in February 1963, assigned to CGSC at Ft. Leavenworth, and again retained as an instructor for three years, followed by a tour with NATO at the Central Army Group in Seckenheim, Germany. He completed his tour as the Chief of War Plans and was awarded the Legion of Merit. Much of the balance of Bob's military career was spent at Ft. Meade dealing with ROTC programs for northeastern colleges. He retired in 1973 with 25 years of exemplary military service.

Bob's military experience, especially that of working with young people, dictated the field he chose for retirement. He became a partner in a Human Resources Enterprise in Laurel, MD, where he helped many professionals in career transition and development and assisted corporations in recruiting talented personnel. Life, however, revolved around his family. Bob and Gerry were able to spend 43 years together, raising three daughters and a son. His greatest joy was found in spending time with his six grandchildren.

During Bob's last two years, Gerry spent more time in a hospital than she did at home, due to complications resulting from cataract surgery that eventually left her blind in one eye. During her hospitalization, Bob spent every waking moment with her. The love and support he provided during that time, she returned to him during his final months. Following surgery for colon cancer, on 21 May 1993, he developed a fatal pulmonary embolism and passed away.

An officer who served with Bob in combat, at the Infantry School, and at CGSC, described him as the most thorough and precise officer he had ever known. Throughout his life, Bob cherished the deeply rooted traditional values instilled by his New England upbringing and his days at West Point. Classmates and those with whom he later served described him as an unassuming, quiet, and selfless person always ready to help a friend in need. He is remembered for his ready smile and a dry sense of humor that could fool others until he allowed that sly smile to break through. All who knew and loved him sorely miss him. May he continue smiling on those he left behind.

Bob Miller loved West Point, the Army, and his country, and he was a credit to them all.
 
 

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