Francis Don Miller

Francis Donald Miller (April 9, 1920 – January 17, 1996) was a United States Army colonel, Executive Director of the USOC, President of the US Olympic & Paralympic Foundation, NCAA boxing champion, and a U.S. Olympic Boxing Team head coach.

Early life and education Col. F. Don Miller was born in Racine, Wisconsin on April 9, 1920. He was a graduate of St. Catherine's High School, class of 1939, and was a member of the boxing and football teams. He was the SE Wisconsin (novice-class) Golden Gloves welterweight champion in 1938 at 147 lbs. His senior year, he received the American Legion Medal, given to the best athlete of the class.

Military career After earning the rank of second lieutenant in ROTC program at the University of Wisconsin, Miller entered active service at Fort Benning, Georgia, in April 1943. During combat in World War II, he served as a company commander for the 313th Infantry Regiment, 79th Division, in the European theater. On November 24, 1944, he was wounded by enemy fire while leading a 7th Army platoon into the city of Strasbourg, France.

In 1949, Miller was assigned to Fort Monmouth, New Jersey and oversaw boxing held at the U.S. Special Services School. During the 1950s, Miller worked for the Eighth United States Army as an assistant, and the Fourth United States Army, Fort Sam Houston as a special services officer. He coached the United States boxing teams in the 1951 Pan American Games and 1956 Olympic Games. In 1961, he was assigned to the Adjutant General's office at Fort Amador, Panama. and in 1973 he was named executive director, and remained at that position until 1985. During his tenure, Miller oversaw moving the USOC headquarters from New York to Colorado, initiated a sports medicine support program, and was a U.S. Olympic Festival planner. In 1985, he was named President of the U.S. Olympic Foundation and held that position until his passing in 1996.

Miller received the Olympic Order in 1984 and was inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame in 1984. He also received the Centennial Trophy from the U.S. Olympic Committee in 1995.

Personal life and death Miller was married and had two 2 children. 1965 - Knighted into the Order of Malta 1983 - presented the United States Sports Academy Distinguished Service Award 1984 - awarded the IOC Silver Olympic Order 1984 - inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame 1984 - presented the Southland Olympia Award 1984 - presented the NASPE Hall of Fame Award 1985 - presented the DC Touchdown Club's Board of Governor's Award 1985 - awarded The Olympic & Paralympic Torch Award 1985 - the USOC creates the "F. Don Miller Award" 1995 - awarded the IOC Centennial Trophy 1996 - awarded the USOC Jack Kelly Fair Play Award 1996 - the Colorado Springs Sports Hall of Fame creates "Col. F. Don Miller Sports Service Award" 1997 - the "F. Don Miller Residence Hall" is dedicated at Olympic Training Center 2001 - inducted into the St. Catherine's H.S. Alumni Hall of Fame

United States Army Decorations