Archie Miller
Encyclopedia
Archie Miller was a United States Army
officer who received the Medal of Honor
for actions during the Philippine–American War July 2, 1909. Lieutenant Miller defended a machine gun
from capture by the enemy. He later rose to Lieutenant Colonel.
He was serving as a First Lieutenant in the 6th U.S. Cavalry at Patian Island, Philippine Islands
, on July 2, 1909, when he earned his Medal.
Sergeant Joseph Henderson
also received the medal for the same action.
Archie Miller is Buried in Arlington National Cemetery
Section 1 Lot 200.
, and St. Louis University. At the outbreak of the Spanish-American War
he enlisted with the state volunteers and saw service in Cuba, reaching the rank of first Lieutenant. In 1899 he went to the Philippines for a year, transferring later to the Regular Army Cavalry.
Miller married Madeleine Whitside, daughter of Brigadier General Samuel Whitside
. Their daughter, Caroline, would marry Lieutenant General Robert Whitney Burns
.
Citation:
A New York Times headline summed up the action in which 1st Lt. Archie Miller and a fellow trooper would be awarded the Medal of Honor, "BATTLED ON LEDGE WITH MORO
OUTLAWS; Jikiri's Band Wiped Out Only After Desperate Hand-to-Hand Fighting. SOUGHT SAFETY IN CAVE Driven Out by the American Fire, Jikiri Tries to Behead Lieut. Wilson
, but Is Shot Down."
Archie Miller was promoted to captain in April 1911, temporary major in August 1917, temporary lieutenant colonel in the Signal Corps two months later, and finally temporary colonel in the Signal Corps
in September 1918.
During World War I, Miller was the commanding officer at Kelly Field and later at the aviation field at Waco, Texas, and Camp Greene
, North Carolina. In July 1918, Lieutenant Colonel Miller was placed in charge of all the air service activities on Long Island, New York. As a member of the Army Air Service, Miller participated in the New York-to-Toronto-and-return air race and the transcontinental race.
of Dubuque, Iowa, formerly a member of the House of Representatives; A. G. Batchelder of Washington, chairman of the Board of the American Automobile Association; Lieutenant Stanley M. Ames of Washington, pilot of the wrecked plane; Lieutenant Cleveland M. McDermott, Langley Field, Virginia; Lieutenant John M. Pennewill, Langley Field, Virginia; and Sergeant Mechanic Richard Blumenkranz, Washington.
Army Air Service officers said the accident was the worst in the history of aviation in the United States and that it was one of the few in which all of the passengers in a falling plane had been killed almost instantly.
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
officer who received the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
for actions during the Philippine–American War July 2, 1909. Lieutenant Miller defended a machine gun
Machine gun
A machine gun is a fully automatic mounted or portable firearm, usually designed to fire rounds in quick succession from an ammunition belt or large-capacity magazine, typically at a rate of several hundred rounds per minute....
from capture by the enemy. He later rose to Lieutenant Colonel.
He was serving as a First Lieutenant in the 6th U.S. Cavalry at Patian Island, Philippine Islands
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
, on July 2, 1909, when he earned his Medal.
Sergeant Joseph Henderson
Joseph Henderson (soldier)
Joseph Henderson was a United States Army Sergeant received the Medal of Honor for actions during the Moro Uprising in 1909. He later obtained the rank of Master Sergeant. Sergeant Henderson was awarded his medal for the same action as Lieutenant Archie Miller.-Medal of Honor citation:Rank and...
also received the medal for the same action.
Archie Miller is Buried in Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington County, Virginia, is a military cemetery in the United States of America, established during the American Civil War on the grounds of Arlington House, formerly the estate of the family of Confederate general Robert E. Lee's wife Mary Anna Lee, a great...
Section 1 Lot 200.
Early life
Born in Illinois on September 23, 1878, Col. Miller attended the public schools of Chicago. He was an A.B. man of St. Mary's College, KansasSt. Mary's College, Kansas
Saint Mary's Academy and College is a religious school of the Society of St. Pius X located in St. Marys, Kansas, 25 miles west of Topeka.- St. Mary's College :...
, and St. Louis University. At the outbreak of the Spanish-American War
Spanish-American War
The Spanish–American War was a conflict in 1898 between Spain and the United States, effectively the result of American intervention in the ongoing Cuban War of Independence...
he enlisted with the state volunteers and saw service in Cuba, reaching the rank of first Lieutenant. In 1899 he went to the Philippines for a year, transferring later to the Regular Army Cavalry.
Miller married Madeleine Whitside, daughter of Brigadier General Samuel Whitside
Samuel Whitside
Brigadier General Samuel M. Whitside was a United States Cavalry officer who served from 1858 to 1902. He commanded at every level from platoon to department for 32 of his 43 years in service, including Army posts such a Camp Huachuca, Jefferson Barracks, and Fort Sam Houston, the Departments of...
. Their daughter, Caroline, would marry Lieutenant General Robert Whitney Burns
Robert Whitney Burns
Robert Whitney Burns was a Lieutenant General in the United States Air Force.-Biography:Burns was born on September 15, 1908 in Stanley, Wisconsin. He would attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Burns died on September 5, 1964 in San Antonio, Texas. He is buried with his wife, Caroline, at...
.
Medal of Honor
- Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, 6th U.S. Cavalry.
- Place and date: At Patian Island, Philippine IslandsPhilippinesThe Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
, July 2, 1909. - Entered service at: St. Louis, MissouriSt. Louis, MissouriSt. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
. - Birth: Fort Sheridan, IllinoisFort Sheridan, IllinoisFort Sheridan is a residential neighborhood spread among Lake Forest, Highwood, and Highland Park in Lake County, Illinois, United States. It was originally established as a United States Army Post named after Civil War Cavalry General Philip Sheridan, to honor his services to Chicago...
. - Date of issue: 23 Nov 1912.
Citation:
- While in action against hostile Moros, when the machinegun detachment, having been driven from its position by a heavy fire, 1 member being killed, did, with the assistance of an enlisted man, place the machinegun in advance of its former position at a distance of about 20 yards from the enemy, in accomplishing which he was obliged to splice a piece of timber to one leg of the gun tripod, all the while being under a heavy fire, and the gun tripod being several times struck by bullets.
A New York Times headline summed up the action in which 1st Lt. Archie Miller and a fellow trooper would be awarded the Medal of Honor, "BATTLED ON LEDGE WITH MORO
Moro Rebellion
The Moro Rebellion was an armed military conflict between Moro revolutionary groups in the Mindanao, Sulu, and Palawan and the United States military which took place in the Philippines as early as between 1899 to 1913, following the Spanish-American War in 1898...
OUTLAWS; Jikiri's Band Wiped Out Only After Desperate Hand-to-Hand Fighting. SOUGHT SAFETY IN CAVE Driven Out by the American Fire, Jikiri Tries to Behead Lieut. Wilson
Arthur H. Wilson
Arthur Harrison Wilson was an officer in the United States Army and a Medal of Honor recipient for his actions in the Philippine-American War. He graduated from West Point in 1904.-Medal of Honor citation:...
, but Is Shot Down."
Military service
- Appointed From Missouri, First Lieutenant, 6th Missouri Infantry Regiment, 4 August 1898. Honorably mustered out 10 May 1899
- Second Lieutenant, 32nd Volunteer Infantry Regiment, 5 July 1899
- First Lieutenant, 1 September 1900. Honorably Mustered Out 8 May 1901
- Second Lieutenant, U.S. 2nd Cavalry RegimentU.S. 2nd Cavalry RegimentThe 2nd Cavalry Regiment , also known as the Second Dragoons, is an active mechanized infantry and cavalry regiment of the United States Army. The Second Dragoons is a component of V Corps and United States Army Europe, with its garrison at the Rose Barracks in Vilseck, Germany...
, 2 February 1901 - First Lieutenant, U.S. 6th Cavalry RegimentU.S. 6th Cavalry RegimentThe 6th Cavalry is a historic regiment of the United States Army that began as a regiment of cavalry in the American Civil War. It currently is organized into aviation squadrons that are assigned to several different combat aviation brigades.-Civil War:The 6th U.S...
, 28 February 1901
Archie Miller was promoted to captain in April 1911, temporary major in August 1917, temporary lieutenant colonel in the Signal Corps two months later, and finally temporary colonel in the Signal Corps
Signal Corps
The Signal Corps is a military branch, usually subordinate to a country's army, responsible for the military communications .Many countries have a Signal Corps, whose main function is usually communication .* Arma de Comunicaciones, signals branch of the Argentine Army* Arma delle...
in September 1918.
During World War I, Miller was the commanding officer at Kelly Field and later at the aviation field at Waco, Texas, and Camp Greene
Camp Greene
Camp Greene was a United States Army facility in North Carolina, United States during the early 20th Century. In 1917, both the 3rd Infantry Division and the 4th Infantry Divisions were first organized and assembled at this camp.-History:...
, North Carolina. In July 1918, Lieutenant Colonel Miller was placed in charge of all the air service activities on Long Island, New York. As a member of the Army Air Service, Miller participated in the New York-to-Toronto-and-return air race and the transcontinental race.
Death
On May 28, 1921 Lt. Col. Archie Miller and six others, four of the Army and two civilians, were killed in the wreck of an Army Curtiss Eagle ambulance airplane near Indian Head, Maryland, 40 miles southeast of Washington, in a terrific wind and electrical storm. In addition to Miller the dead were: Maurice ConnollyMaurice Connolly
Maurice Connolly was elected in 1912 to a single term as a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Iowa's 3rd congressional district. After giving up his House seat in an unsuccessful bid for election to the U.S...
of Dubuque, Iowa, formerly a member of the House of Representatives; A. G. Batchelder of Washington, chairman of the Board of the American Automobile Association; Lieutenant Stanley M. Ames of Washington, pilot of the wrecked plane; Lieutenant Cleveland M. McDermott, Langley Field, Virginia; Lieutenant John M. Pennewill, Langley Field, Virginia; and Sergeant Mechanic Richard Blumenkranz, Washington.
Army Air Service officers said the accident was the worst in the history of aviation in the United States and that it was one of the few in which all of the passengers in a falling plane had been killed almost instantly.
See also
- List of Medal of Honor recipients
- List of Philippine–American War Medal of Honor recipients
- List of accidents and incidents involving military aircraft (pre-1925)