- Hometown: Boise, Idaho
- Awarded: Bronze Star
Then-Sgt. Luke Miller’s tank was participating in an insurgent sweep called “Operation Matador,” near Karbala, Iraq, from May 8-14, 2005. On May 8, his team was told to hold a position near the bridge because the team originally assigned the position was stuck in the desert.
As they entered the town, small-arms and gunfire erupted around them, but they made it safely through the town and to their assigned spot. They waited for their relief to come without incident. With a relief crew on its way, Miller’s and another tank began rolling out of the area.
That’s when Miller heard a large explosion: a roadside bomb had gone off under a nearby tank, severely damaging it. Miller rushed from his tank to help those trapped inside the wrecked tank. As his team provided protective fire, Miller and another Marine pulled a wounded Marine from the tank. Miller then pulled out another injured Marine, slung him over his shoulder, and dodged insurgent fire and delivered him to a waiting helicopter for evacuation. He then returned to his team to rejoin the fight.
When he rejoined his team, they continued sweeping the area and found more than 10 additional areas where insurgents were hiding out.
On Nov. 10, 2005, Miller received the Military Vanguard Award, bestowed annually upon one member of each branch of the military. On Nov. 14, 2005, Miller was awarded the Bronze Star for his efforts in Iraq.
Stumble It!
