William Morton Miller

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to William Morton Miller, Lieutenant, U.S. Navy (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Commander of a Navy Patrol Plane in Patrol-Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED SIXTEEN (VPB-116), in action on 12 October 1944, at Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands. Lieutenant Miller and his crew, in company with another aircraft flown by Lieutenant William B. Oliver, searched the waters off Iwo Jima for survivors of a squadron plane believed lost in that area. When enemy fighters rose to intercept the pair they continued their sweep and withdrew in company together. In the ensuing air-to-air combat the two bombers downed six of the eight attacking fighters. Lieutenant Miller’s outstanding courage and determined skill were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.