John Grider Miller

John Grider Miller (born 23 August 1935 in Annapolis, Maryland – died 31 August 2009 in Annapolis, Maryland) was a colonel in the United States Marine Corps, who served as managing editor of U.S. Naval Institute Proceedings and of Naval History.

Career

After graduating from Yale in 1957, Miller was commissioned in the Marine Corps. He was an infantry officer, commanded a U. S. Marine battalion, and served as an advisor to the Republic of Vietnam Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. Later in his career, he was deputy director of the Marine Corps' History and Museums Division and was a speechwriter to three Commandant of the Marine Corps.

He joined the United States Naval Institute staff on 19 September 1985 and served until 31 August 2000, becoming managing editor of Proceedings and Naval History Magazine, the latter of which he had helped to establish in 1988.

He wrote several books of which the best known is The Bridge at Dong Ha, the story of Navy Cross recipient John Ripley (USMC).

In 2009, he was to be awarded the Brigadier General Robert L. Denig Memorial Distinguished Performance Award, but died less than three weeks before the award ceremony.

Recognition

Military decorations

Legion of Merit with "V" DeviceBronze Star with one award starDefense Meritorious Service MedalMeritorious Service MedalNavy Presidential Unit CitationNavy Unit CommendationNational Defense Service MedalVietnam Service Medal with four service starsVietnam Gallantry Cross Unit awardVietnam Civil Actions Unit CitationVietnam Campaign Medal

Other awards

Alfred Thayer Mahan Award for Literary Achievement, 2002. Brigadier General Robert L. Denig Memorial Distinguished Performance Award, 2009.

Published books The Battle to save the Houston, October 1944 to March 1945. Annapolis: Naval Institute Press, 1985; 2000. The bridge at Dong Ha. Annapolis, Md.: Naval Institute Press, 1989. Punching out: launching a post-military career by Fred Mastin with John Grider Miller. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1994. The co-vans: U.S. Marine advisors in Vietnam. Annapolis, Md.: Naval Institute Press, 2000.