My Father, My Hero Passes Away at 92
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As most young boys, I looked up to my Father as a provider, protector, friend, and all around Hero. My Father, Allen W. Miller, United States Marine Corps combat veteran during the Pacific Campaign earning a Purple Heart while on Okinawa passed away Friday, April 28, 2017 after a brief illness and two months after his wife passed. He saw action on Guadalcanal, Okinawa and served in China during the occupation. He never really talked much about his part of the war until I saw the scar of the wound he received while on Okinawa. When I asked him about the round looking hole behind his right knee, he told me the following story. He was one of many mortar teams set up on one side of a small hill while the Japanese were on the other side. They had been trading mortar rounds back and forth until one of my Dads team leaders got pissed and decided to storm over the top of the hill and “Kill those lousy Japs”. As my Dad was approaching the half way point over the hill, he said it felt like someone had hit the back of his leg with a baseball bat and the next thing he knew he was back at the bottom of the hill. He looked down and saw his trousers were soaked in blood from the waist down and thought he had be blown in half. One of the Corpsman came by and helped my Dad up and got him to an aid station, then to a hospital somewhere so he could recover and that was the end of the war for him. He returned home to Camp Pendleton where he became a Fireman on the base. He met my Mother prior to leaving for overseas and they got married when he returned home. I came along in 1956 and then my brother in 1960. For all those years he rarely spoke about the war until I found a shotgun in his closet. He told me that he had “Liberated” it from a dead jap soldier on Okinawa. He worked for 40 years for the Ford Motor Co., retired, and when my Mother passed in 1988, he mourned. Then in 1989 he found himself standing at the front door of a female family friend and said “Here I am!” They were together from that point on until her passing 2 months ago. The end came when I had to put my Dad in Hospice care while in the hospital for a massive blood infection. I thank God everyday for having such a loving and caring Father. I’ll miss you Dad. SEMPER FI, Leatherneck! Daniel Miller, L/cpl United States Marine Corps, 1974-1976
19 comments
In reply to Dean The Marine.
well said DTM, Rivera Cpl. 70/72
May God Bless your father and all Marines who have served honorably for their country.
I went to my brother-in-laws father-in-laws funeral. There was a pitcher of him in his dress greens. I did not know he was a marine. His wife said that he was very proud of his service, and was at Iwo Jima. I never knew, but wish that I had while he was alive. I could have thanked him.
A tremendous story of a regular guy doing great things for Country and Corps. God bless and Semper Fi, Marine.
In reply to Robert Bledsoe.
i knew a bledsoe in viet nam in 1966.pfc perales is my name.
My most often contact with men like your father started about age nine when my dad began taking me out golfing on the weekends. There was a man who used the first golf cart I ever saw, because as a brigade commander of the 41th infantry in New Guinea he was debilitated by sickness. I remember one fairly good golfer who had kind of a weird back swing. I found out he was crippled while serving with the Big Red One in Sicily. My Economics professor in college served with one of the first UDT teams clearing barricades and mines in the surf zone before Pacific landings. I often ended up as a dishwasher at Michelbook Country Club and noticed the chef always limped as he moved around the kitchen. He saw my puzzled look, and said he got the limp from a wound received when he was with the Rangers at Pointe De Hoc. Those are just a few of the stories I remember among so many others I could tell or have forgotten.
Sincerest condolences to you and your family, L/cpl Miller. Your late Marine dad would be very proud of how you’ve expressed this heartfelt tribute to him. I too, thank you for sharing this story. May your hero dad rest in peace. As always understood, “once a Marine always a Marine”.
SEMPER FI BROTHER
I guess we know who will be guarding the streets of Heaven now. Your father will walking his Post along with mine. My father is a Korean War Veteran, and I am a Vietnam Vet. Semper Fidelis.
In reply to Robert Bledsoe.
My God be with you. (SGT Arthur Sovocool
Thank you for sharing this great story with us. Those Marines who fought in the Pacific during WWII hold a very special place in Marine Corps history. I know you honored your father greatly when you earned the Eagle,Globe & Anchor.
LCpl. Daniel Miller, indeed a great tribute to one of the members of the “Greatest Generation” and a true Marine. I for one being a VietNam 0311/0369 and Retired Marine had the honor to serve with many WWII Marine Warriors that were career Marines and like your Dad they didn’t talk much about their war, but in formations all you had to do was look at their chest and all we could feel was pride and if we died we did it as with Pride cause we too many of the enemy with us. God Bless all Marines and wait to regroup when we meet again at the Gates of Heaven. Semper Fidelis!
There are no adequate words to say about Marines that have survived a bloody battle, and went on to live a good life afterward. Suffice to say, they are all candidates to be received into the Kingdom of Heaven. Let us not forget the words included in the Marine Corps Hymn as to they’re Guarding the Streets of Heaven. I have lived a long life, and known several who have Fallen, W.I.A., or had neither a scratch or sniffle, but all are regarded as Heroes in my humble opinion. God Bless Them, and God Bless America.
Cpl Robert Bledsoe once a marine always a marine Semper Fidelis Rest in peace
Dan Miller, what a great story. Every Marine on Okinawa had a unique story. Your father is a precious part of our history. You are too. Garent Gunther USMC 68-70
Alan W. Miller, USMC, SEMPER FI. Jesus loved him so much that he took this FANTASTIC MARINE , home to Heaven. Thank you, LCPL Daniel Miller, USMC, for this wonderful story and thank you for Picking Up the Torch of this Fallen Marine,, and following in your father’s footsteps. John Gray USMC Retired