Ambushed in Afghanistan: SSG Robert J. Miller

Staff Sergeant Robert J. Miller served in Afghanistan as a Weapons Sergeant. In January of 2008, Miller was part of a Special Forces combat reconnaissance unit tasked with confirming enemy activity in the Gowardesh Valley. The unit had a successful initial engagement, in which Miller relayed information that became crucial to a lethal allied air strike. Afterwards, Miller was ordered to be the point man for a patrol tasked with doing a post battle assessment. The patrol separated from the unit, traveling to the opposite side of the valley and into a natural checkpoint as they navigated up a steep hill. There they were ambushed by 140 enemies. Holding elevated fighting positions on three sides of the patrol, the insurgents fired from less than 25 meters away. The patrol immediately retreated, but Miller charged forward, engaging the enemy and drawing a majority of the fire away from his vulnerable allies. He did this for over 25 minutes, killing 16 enemies and wounding 30, before succumbing to two gunshot wounds. He’s credited with saving the lives of 23 allies. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery and sacrifice that day.

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