Remembering a Local War Hero: Andrew Miller
"For 14 of the bloodiest days in history [Andrew] Miller taught the world to do the impossible. He proved to the 'brass' of a dozen armies that the fury and fighting spirit of the American soldier is the most unconquerable weapon of war the universe has ever seen”, described an article in the 95th Infantry Division's November 1964 edition of "Journal" Magazine."
It was November, 1944 when Manitowoc native Andrew Miller, 28, earned his title of a hero. The rifle squad leader of Company G of the 95th Division of the 377th Regiment became the 85th Manitowoc County casualty of World War II.
Miller was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his service in 1944. His citation reads, "For performing a series of heroic deeds from 16-29 November 1944, during his company's relentless drive from Woippy, France, through Metz to Kerprich Hemmersdorf, Germany. ... On 29 November, as Company G climbed a hill overlooking Kerprich Hemmersdorf, enemy fire pinned the unit to the ground. Staff Sergeant Miller, on his own initiative, pressed ahead with his squad past the company's leading element to meet the surprise resistance. His men stood up and advanced deliberately, firing as they went. Inspired by Staff Sergeant Miller's leadership, the platoon followed, and then another platoon arose and grimly closed with the Germans. The enemy action was smothered, but at the cost of Staff Sergeant Miller's life. His tenacious devotion to the attack, his gallant choice to expose himself to enemy action rather than endanger his men, his limitless bravery, assured the success of Company G."
Staff Sergeant Andrew Miller was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor on September 1, 1945. During the battle, his bravery not only led to the success of Company G but Miller also was credited for ending four German gun emplacements and capturing 27 prisoners. His widow, the former Mayme Jansky of Tisch Mills, received the sergeant's medal at a ceremony at Camp Shelby, Mississippi on September 7, 1945. The medal is the nation's highest military award for bravery presented to a member of our armed forces. The Medal was awarded in front of the 95th Division and members of Miller's family, including his brothers and niece.
More than a decade after being awarded the Medal, the Andrew Miller Chapter 24 of the Disabled American Veterans was organized. The Andrew Miller Memorial United States Army Reserve Center at Silver Creek Park in Manitowoc was also named in his honor in 1961. In 1999, a historical marker detailing Miller's heroism was erected near the Manitowoc County Veteran's Memorial by the Manitowoc County Historical Society and the Manitowoc County United Veterans Council.
