Hugh B. Miller
Hugh Barr Miller Jr. | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 10, 1910 Tuscaloosa, Alabama |
| Died | June 21, 1978 (aged 68) Alachua County, Florida |
| Buried | Hazelhurst Cemetery, Hazelhurst, Mississippi |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Branch |  United States Navy |
| Battles / wars | World War II Guadalcanal Campaign |
| Awards | Navy Cross (2) Navy Distinguished Service Medal (2) Silver Star Legion of Merit (2) Bronze Star Medal |
Hugh Barr Miller, Jr. (January 10, 1910 – June 21, 1978) was a U.S. Naval officer in the Pacific Theater during World War II, who after being shipwrecked and left for dead behind enemy lines, single-handedly fought the Japanese for weeks until his rescue.
His son, Landon C.G. Miller, wrote an authorized biography under the title Lt. Hugh Barr Miller, Jr – The US Navy's One Man Army.
There are a large number of other books, comic books, and sections of books that include Miller's heroic saga, including the authoritative 100 Best True Stories of World War II, hardcover – In 2016, a book published by Steven Harding on the incident was set to be adapted to film.[1]
Biography
Early years and college football career
In college, Miller was the quarterback of the University of Alabama’s Crimson Tide football team, starting two games as quarterback for the 1930 team.[2] The 1930 team played in the 1931 Rose Bowl, and even though Miller didn't play in the game, he was given the nickname "Rose Bowl" on his ship.[3] At the outbreak of World War II, he was appointed as an Officer, and was eventually sent to serve in the Pacific.
World War II
Miller's ship, the USS Strong (DD-467), was sunk by a Japanese torpedo in the Solomon Islands on the night of July 4–5, 1943, leaving Miller in the water with 22 other men.[4]
Three days later, Miller and three shipmates washed up on Arundel Island. After hiding from the enemy for days, Miller ordered his shipmates to take his boots and knife and leave him behind, as he was severely wounded and thought he would be a liability. He said later, "I thought I was dying, but then I rallied..." The others did leave him behind, attempting to return to U.S.-held territory. They were never heard from again.[5]
Miller recovered from his wounds, though he would suffer from the effects for the rest of his life. He found the body of a Japanese soldier washed ashore, and took his hand grenades and bayonet. Miller used the grenades to kill at least half a dozen enemy soldiers on patrol who had gotten too close to his hideout. He then systematically attacked Japanese machine gun nests using just the hand grenades. Eventually he killed over 20 men using only recovered grenades and the bayonet. Forty three days after the torpedo attack, Miller signaled to a passing U.S. plane and was rescued later that day by a U.S. Navy J2F Duck float plane.[6]
After his ordeal, Miller was awarded many medals in a ceremony with First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and Fleet Admiral William "Bull" Halsey. Numerous newspapers, comic books, magazines (including LIFE magazine[7]) and TV shows recounted his story, including the weekly TV Show This Is Your Life,[8] which was hosted by future US President Ronald Reagan, and the TV show Navy Log. Miller was twice recommended for the Medal of Honor, but it was never granted. He was, however, awarded the Navy Cross, two Silver Stars, six Bronze Stars, two Purple Hearts, and 27 other individual and unit decorations.
Numerous books recount Miller's biography. The self-published and only authorized biography, Lt. "Rose Bowl" Miller: The U.S. Navy's One Man Army, was written by his son Landon C.G. Miller.[9] The book Castaway's War was optioned in 2016 by film production company'[10] Gold Circle.[11]
Miller's ordeal has been documented by National Geographic Channel's Ultimate Survival WWII, episode "Desert Island Manhunt", with Hazen Audel.
References
- ^ McNary, Dave (2016-08-01). "World War II Drama 'Castaway's War' in the Works as Movie". Variety. Archived from the original on 2017-09-17. Retrieved 2017-09-17.
- ^ "Alabama Heritage Blog - ALABAMA HERITAGE". Archived from the original on 2024-07-28. Retrieved 2024-07-27.
- ^ "Former Alabama QB Miller remembered on Veterans Day | FOX Sports". FOX Sports. 2013-11-11. Archived from the original on 2017-09-17. Retrieved 2017-09-17.
- ^ "Book Review: The Daring Island Adventure of Lt. Hugh Miller | HistoryNet". www.historynet.com. Archived from the original on 2017-09-17. Retrieved 2017-09-17.
- ^ "Former Alabama QB Miller remembered on Veterans Day | FOX Sports". FOX Sports. 2013-11-11. Archived from the original on 2017-09-17. Retrieved 2017-09-17.
- ^ "The Tuscaloosa News – Google News Archive Search". news.google.com. Retrieved 2017-09-17.
- ^ LIFE. Time Inc. 1943-11-08.
- ^ Lt Hugh Barr Miller Jr (2015-07-26), Hugh Barr Miller Jr This Is Your Life, retrieved 2017-09-17
- ^ Miller, Landon C. G. (2011-01-09). Lt. "Rose Bowl" Miller: The U.S. Navy's One Man Army: "I thought I was dying, but then I rallied". CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. ISBN 9781456534486.
- ^ Harding, Stephen (2016-05-03). The Castaway's War: One Man's Battle against Imperial Japan (First American ed.). Da Capo Press. ISBN 9780306823404.
- ^ McNary, Dave (2016-08-01). "World War II Drama 'Castaway's War' in the Works as Movie". Variety. Archived from the original on 2017-09-17. Retrieved 2017-09-17.