Patrick W. Miller

Patrick W. Miller was on born July 22, 1981 in Cleveland, Ohio, the oldest son of Dr. John and Carole Miller. He received his commission in the Medical Service Corps from St.  Bonaventure University in 2003 while earning a B.S. in Physical Education. After completing the AMEDD Officer Basic Course, he was assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, Texas, where he served as Medical Platoon Leader for 1/9 Cavalry Battalion and was deployed to Baghdad, Iraq, for 13 months.

Redeploying as Ambulance Platoon Leader and Executive Officer for C/15th Brigade Support Battalion in 2005, Major Miller was promoted to Battalion Assistant Operations Officer. Again deployed to Baghdad for 15 months, he worked as an Iraqi Brigade Logistics advisor for 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division. In 2008, he attended the Defense Comptrollership Program at Syracuse University. After AMEDD Officer Advanced Course, he was assigned to the Fort Sam Houston Dental Activity, where he took company command.

Major Miller was assigned as Chief of Resource Management for United States Army Medical Activity, Fort Drum, New York in 2011. He remained there until moving back to Fort Hood in 2013 to act as Brigade Comptroller/S8 for 1st Medical Brigade. At the end of the workday on April 2, 2014, Major Miller heard the distinct “pop, pop, pop of gunfire” outside his Fort Hood office. Rushing into the hallway, he encountered a man he thought was seeking safety. Instead, the gunman shot Major Miller with a .45-caliber bullet, which struck him two-inches below his heart and went through his colon, smashing a rib and embedding in his back.

After shoving the gunman, Major Miller got back to his office and locked the door. While holding his side, he used his free hand to call 911 from his cellphone. Major Miller then shepherded several co-workers into his interior office, again locking that door. It would be another 45 minutes before it was safe to get an ambulance to him. Despite the circumstance, Major Miller continued to control his breathing and remained cognizant of the situation. The wounds ultimately required two major surgeries and two weeks in ICU to correct. For his heroic actions, Major Miler was awarded the Army’s highest noncombat honor for valor, the Soldier’s Medal.

Major Patrick Miller’s numerous awards and decorations include: The Soldiers Medal, Bronze Star with oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Army Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with four service stars, Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terror Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Meritorious Unit Citation and the Army Superior Unit Award. He has also earned the Combat Medical Badge, Parachutist Badge, and the Air Assault Badge.

He holds a Masters in Business Administration and a Masters in Public Administration from Syracuse University. His military education includes the AMEDD Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, US Army Command and General Staff College, and the Light Fighter School Commando Course.

He, and his wife, Ashley, have one daughter, Harper.