Medal Ribbon Bar Named Uss Arizona Spearfish Sub Usn Valor Pearl Harbor Lot For Sale

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sale for lot of materials pertaining to Navy Captain Jim Dick Miller. Miller was an ensign aboard the USS Arizona on 7 Dec 1941 and the surviving senior officer after the ship exploded and sank. This lot includes an original 8x10" signed/autographed black and white photo of Miller. On the back is a stamp saying that the photo was taken aboard the USS Dixie AD-14. There are two documents relating to the Arizona memorial, Photocopied report of Miller's experience on 7 Dec, copy of his navy cross citation, copy of his 1976 address aboard the USS Arizona Memorial to the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association. Lastly there is a nine place 1960s style narrow ribbon bar. The first two valor awards have been removed per government regulations and policy and are not part of the sale. The remaining awards are the Bronze Star w/V, PTO ribbon with thre bronze stars, American Campaign ribbon, American Defense Service Medal w/bz star, China Service Medal, WWII Victory Medal and NDSM. The American Defense Service Medal is showing signs of wear. The ribbon bar is clutch back of the period. Copies of the citiations listed below will be included. Miller later went on to earn to LOM's but they are not present on this ribbon bar and presumeably it is the ribbon bar in the photo. Hard to find Pearl Harbor groups, especially to one so important.

Jim Dick Miller 1917-2000, was born in Van Buren, Ark. He moved with his family to Sapulpa, Okla., and then to Borger, Texas, and graduated from Borger High School in 1934. He attended Amarillo Junior College before entering the U.S. Naval Academy in 1935. He graduated from the Academy in 1939 and was deployed to the USS Arizona, where he was serving when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. He rescued a men from his burning ship and received the Navy Cross for valor during the attack. He conducted wartime patrols in the Pacific on the USS Spearfish. His other wartime honors include the Silver Star and Bronze Star, and he earned the Legion of Merit and the Gold Star during his 30-year career. Captain Miller served in the 1946 Arctic expedition and was a submarine commander, including service in Key West, Fla., during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He served on the staff of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and commanded the Gulf Sub-Area, Military Sea Transportation Service in New Orleans. He retired as a Captain. He was the highest-ranking survivor of the Arizona. He earned earned his master's degree in math from North Caroline State University and taught at colleges in the San Diego area. He was active in community affairs in Coronado, was a member of Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church and was active with veterans' organizations, including the U.S. Submarine Veterans of World War II. He married Mary Jane Sullivan in 1943 at Los Angeles. She died in 1997.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Jim Dick Miller, United States Navy, for exceptional courage, presence of mind, and devotion to duty and disregard for his personal safety while serving on board the Battleship U.S.S. ARIZONA (BB-39), during the Japanese attack on the United States Pacific Fleet in Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii, 7 December 1941. Upon Turret III of the U.S.S. ARIZONA becoming untenable due to gas from a bomb hit on the quarterdeck penetrating several decks and starting a fire, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Miller ordered his turret crew out to fight fires. Almost immediately, a tremendous explosion forward made the ship appear to rise out of the water, shudder and settle rapidly down by the bow. The whole forward part of the ship was enveloped in flames spreading rapidly; wounded and burned men poured onto the quarterdeck. Despite these conditions plus severe enemy bombing and strafing, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Miller assisted in directing firefighting to check them while wounded and burned could be taken from the ship. He supervised their rescue in such an amazingly clam, cool manner and with such excellent judgment, it inspired everyone who saw him and undoubtedly resulted in saving many lives. After the abandon ship order he remained on the quarterdeck assisting in directing abandon ship and rescue of personnel, until satisfied that all personnel who could be, had been saved, after which he left his ship with the last boatload. Furthermore, after leaving his ship, on his own initiative he engineered a motor launch that proceeded to the quays and picked up personnel seeking protection from the severe fires, and rescued many men from the water. The conduct of Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Miller throughout this action reflects great credit upon himself, and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Jim Dick MillerUnited States Navy, for gallantry and intrepidity in action in the performance of his duties as Assistant Approach Officer of a United States Submarine during a war patrol of that vessel during World War II. His excellent judgment and ability were of invaluable assistance to his Commanding Officer in conducting aggressive torpedo attacks which culminated in the sinking of enemy ships totaling over 21,000 tons and damaging additional enemy ships totaling over 18,000 tons. His outstanding leadership and coolness during severe enemy countermeasures, greatly assisted his ship in successful evasive tactics. His conduct throughout was an inspiration to the officers and men in his ship, and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Captain Jim Dick MillerUnited States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Operations Staff Officer in the Operations Directorate, Joint Staff, Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, serving in the Pacific Division successively as an operations staff officer, as Chief of Plans and Studies Branch and as Deputy Chief, Captain Miller, by his clear understanding of the strategic implications of the complex situation unfolding in Southeast Asia, played a significant role in formulating and developing, for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, special war plans, estimates, and recommended military courses of action for Vietnam, which were major factors in evaluations and decisions at the highest levels. Through his professional competence, sound judgment, and inspiring devotion to duty, Captain Miller made a major contribution to the effectiveness of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and to the national security, thereby upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Captain Jim Dick MillerUnited States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from June 1967 to June 1969 as Commander, Military Sea Transportation Service, Gulf Sub-Area. Captain Miller displayed outstanding professional skill and resourcefulness in the planning and execution of the internal reorganization of the Military Sea Transportation Service, Gulf Sub-Area. Through his leadership and effective management, the transition was brought about with a minimum of disruption despite the fact that the reorganization resulted in a reduction in personnel at a time when the demand for cargo lift was increasing. Captain Miller was also instrumental in the effective implementation of a new method of controlling cargo loading operations which resulted in a substantial dollar savings. He further enhanced the operational efficiency of the Military Sea Transportation Service ships operating within the Gulf Sub-Area through his ability to maintain an outstanding rapport with the commercial shipping and terminal operators in his area. Captain Miller's leadership, sound judgment, and inspiring devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service

Interesting group to an important Sailor from WWII. Items are from estate of a collector who obtained the times in the period 1975-1991 when it was possible to actually talk to the principles. Sold as is. Normal wear and tear associated with age. No refunds. Free shipping. Thanks for looking.

This item has been shown 215 times. Medal Ribbon Bar Named Uss Arizona Spearfish Sub Usn Valor Pearl Harbor Lot: $550