HENRY L. MILLER
(1912 – 1993) Rear Admiral

RAID CONTRIBUTION: Instructed USAAF Pilots on Carrier Launching Techniques

From November 1940 to November 1942 he was a Flight Instructor and Personnel Officer at Ellyson Field, part of the Pensacola Naval Air Station. In February 1942, he was temporarily assigned to train LTCOL Jimmy Doolittle’s USAAF pilots in carrier take-offs and shipboard etiquette in preparation for the “Tokyo Raid” mission. He spent several weeks with them at Elgin airfield, tutoring them on these somewhat harrowing launch techniques. In March, he accompanied the USAAF crews to the Sacramento Air Depot, where he continued their training after the B-25s had been through maintenance checks. In April, he sailed with the Doolittle team aboard the Hornet, accompanying them to the launch point east of Japan’s coast. Miller was awarded the Legion of Merit for his role in the Doolittle Raid.

Early Life and Career

Henry Miller was born in 1912 in Fairbanks, Alaska. He grew up in the same town and graduated from a local high school. Later, he attended Drews Preparatory School in San Francisco prior to entering the U.S. Naval Academy from which he graduated in 1934. Miller’s service included three years of gunnery duty on board the battleship USS Texas (BB-35) before enrolling in flight training at the Pensacola Naval Air Station. He was designated a naval aviator in June 1938, after which he was assigned to Fighter Squadron THREE (VF-3) on the USS Saratoga (CV-3).

Subsequent Career and Experiences

From November 1942 to May 1944, Miller commanded an Air Group on board the USS Princeton (CVL-23), and during the remainder of the war he commanded Air Group SIX assigned to the USS Hancock (CV-19). He had duty in the Navy Department during the period of December 1945 until July 1948, first assigned to writing Air Operations Instructions, later serving as Executive Officer, Air Branch, in the Office of Naval Research. For two years he served as Public Information Officer on the Staff of Commander in Chief, Atlantic Fleet, and from June 1950 to August 1952 served successively as Executive Officer of Composite Squadron SEVEN, and of USS Leyte (CV-32).

Miller graduated from Industrial College of the Armed Forces in 1953 and he reported for duty in the Strategic Plans Division at the Office of the Chief of Naval Operation. Two years later, in August of 1955 he assumed command of the Sangley Point Naval Station in the Philippines. On September 1, he became Commander Fleet Air, Philippines, and Commander Naval Air Bases, Philippines.

After his assignments in these three positions, Miller became the Assistant Director, later Director of the Progress of the Chief of Naval Operations. In January 1959, he assumed command of USS Hancock and in July was appointed Chief of Staff to the Commander Naval Air Force, Pacific.

Miller commanded Carrier Division FIFTEEN, which is the Anti-Submarine Hunter-Killer Task Group, from May 1961 to June 1962. He also served as Assistant Chief of Staff for Plans, Joint Staff, and Commander in Chief, Pacific, during the time when the turmoil in South East Asia escalated. Later, he assumed command of Carrier Division THREE, a Heavy Attack Carrier Task Group, and at the same time he took command of Task Force, SEVENTY-SEVEN, and the Carrier Striking Force of the SEVENTH fleet.

The admiral also served in Vietnam and launched the first of a succession of aircraft carrier strikes on North Vietnam from the decks of USS Ranger (CV-61), USS Coral Sea (CV-43) and USS Hancock. On December 2, 1965 he engaged the first nuclear power Task Force, comprised of USS Enterprise (CVN-65) and USS Bainbridge (DLGN-25), in combat with the enemy in Vietnam.

In April 1966, he became Chief of Information, Navy Department. he reported as Commander Naval Air Test Center, Patuxent River, MD in October 1968 and retired three years later.

Miller received many awards for his services. He was awarded The Legion of Merit with Combat “V”, for his WWII service. He also received the Air Medal with five Gold Stars, the Distinguished Flying Cross with Four Gold Stars. In lieu of additional awards, he received the Army Commendation Ribbon, and the Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon.

RADM Miller died on January 25, 1993 and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.