Hubert Miller

Hubert G. Mille (Sources differ as to his middle name.) Social Security and Selective Service records use Goldsmith, which was his mother's maiden name. U.S. Army personnel records use George. Olympic historians use Gene. He was buried as Hubert G Miller.

Miller was born in Saranac Lake, New York, and studied at St. Lawrence University until 1938. He then earned a LL.B. degree from Albany Law School in 1941. Miller enlisted in the Army on February 17, 1942 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant on October 8, 1942 upon completion of Officer Candidate School. After further training, Miller landed at Utah Beach on June 8, 1944 with the 358th Infantry Regiment, 90th Infantry Division. Given command of Company I, he participated in the breakout from the beachhead to the countryside beyond. While advancing through hedgerows near La Valaissere, France on July 12, 1944, his troops came under fire from German machine guns and Miller himself was wounded. Learning that the commanders of Companies K and L had been incapacitated, he assumed command of all three companies and even exposed himself to further enemy fire to personally pull one of his wounded men back to safety. Miller was relieved by another officer about three hours later and evacuated to England the following day. After recuperation, he returned to the United States in January 1945 and served as a training officer until October 1945 when he was released from active duty. Miller was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the Bronze Star Medal and two Purple Hearts for his World War II combat service.