Virgil R. Miller

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Virgil Rasmuss Miller (November 11, 1900 – August 5, 1968) was a United States Army colonel who led the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, a unit made up mainly of Japanese American soldiers (Nisei), during World War II. He is best known for guiding the 442nd in its rescue of the Lost Battalion, the 1st Battalion of the 141st Infantry of the 36th Infantry Division, in the Vosges mountains of northeastern France in October 1944. The mission came after several days of hard fighting, and Miller’s leadership helped save the trapped men at a heavy cost to his own unit.

Early life and education
- Born in San German, Puerto Rico. In 1915, his family moved to San Juan, where his father served as Commissioner of Education.
- Attended El Caribe High School in San Juan.
- Served in the Puerto Rico Home Guard during World War I.
- In 1920, won an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and graduated in 1924 as an infantry officer.
- Married Ann McGoughran in 1925.

Military career
- Early career included service with Puerto Rico’s 65th Infantry Regiment and time in Hawaii with the 21st Infantry Brigade and later the 24th Infantry Division.
- In World War II, he became Executive Officer of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team in 1943 and later its Regimental Commander.
- The 442nd was composed mostly of Nisei (Japanese American soldiers) who served while many of their families were still in internment camps.
- In Italy and France, Miller led the 442nd in several campaigns, including the Rome–Amo, the North Apennines, and the Po Valley campaigns.
- On October 26–30, 1944, Miller and the 442nd broke through to reach the Lost Battalion after five days of intense combat; the rescue was costly but successful. He was later promoted to colonel and continued to command the 442nd until June 1945.
- In January 1945, he briefly considered taking command of Puerto Rico’s 65th Infantry Regiment but chose to stay with the 442nd.

Later life
- After World War II, Miller served in Italy and as a military advisor in Turkey.
- He later taught as a Professor of Military Science and Tactics at Pennsylvania State College, Lehigh University, and the University of Michigan.
- Miller retired from the Army in 1954 and worked as a research associate at MIT until 1963.
- He died in 1968 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and was buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery.

Awards
- His decorations included the Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star (two), Croix de Guerre (France), and Croce al Merito di Guerra (Italy). The 442nd Regimental Combat Team earned numerous honors for its service under his leadership.