Thomas Craig Miller

Private First Class Thomas Craig Miller was born December 7, 1950. His home of record is Pennsauken, NJ. Thomas, or “T.C.” as he was called, was the son of Thomas and Helen Miller and had three sisters, Eileen, Diane, and Holly. T.C. was a graduate of Pennsauken High School where he was a member of the basketball, baseball, wrestling, and cross-country teams. His real passion was baseball and he used book reports in school as a means to write about the life of his favorite player, Babe Ruth. Thomas had aspirations of becoming a professional baseball player when he was growing up.

Miller entered the U.S. Army on January 26, 1970. He completed his basic training at Fort Sill, OK, and served with C Battery, 1st Battalion, 92nd Artillery Regiment, 52nd Artillery Group, where he attained the rank of Private First Class.

On February 1, 1971, Private First Class Miller was killed in action when his group was called to protect engineers that were building roads in the Highlands of Pleiku Province, South Vietnam.

Private First Class Miller was awarded the Purple Heart, Marksmanship Award, Efficiency Fidelity Medal, Distinguished Service Award, and the National Defense Medal. He is buried at Beverly National Cemetery, Beverly, New Jersey — Section L, Site 2315.

Thomas Craig Miller is honored on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on Panel 5W, Line 072.

Today is Memorial Day, once called Decoration Day, and so it seems fitting that I write about my only son, Thomas, whom we always called T.C. because his father was also named Thomas.

T.C. grew up in a middle class neighborhood, led a normal life, was always healthy, and took pride in his appearance and his health. He went out for cross-country running in high school but… his love was Baseball! The greatest time of his life was when he was chosen to attend Baseball Camp up in Williamsport, Pa. Whenever he had to write a book report, he wrote about Babe Ruth. His goal was to become a professional ball player.

T’s birthday was December 7th and this number was one of the early ones pulled out of the fishbowl in the draft. In the summer following graduation from Pennsauken High School, he knew it wouldn’t be long before Uncle Sam got around to him, so he took a job with the township in the public works department.

On September 17, 1970, he was assigned to duty in Viet Nam, after training in boot camp at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He was placed in Battery C, 1st Battalion, 92nd Artillery. After 4 months, on February 1, 1971, he was killed as a result of wounds received in action.

T.C. was not one to show his emotions — that would not make him a macho man. Unfortunately, that is not a trait taken from his mother, as this has been difficult to relive on a day when they have sounded “taps.”

u took my job on gun # 4 powerman

Happy Veterans Day, Tom. God bless to all who read this. May we find peace soon.

— Mason Gough III, Kill Devil Hills, NC — November 11, 2008

TC… It’s never been the same

T, our Dads grew up together… joined the Army together in WW II… and were best friends all their lives. Uncle Tommy was my second Dad. Your Mom was my Dad’s first cousin. She met my Mom when they were roomies in the U.S. Navy and became best friends. She introduced my Dad to my Mom. My Dad introduced his best friend to his favorite cousin, your Mom. How could our families have been closer? My last 3 months in the Army I lived off post from Ft. Dix at your home and used your room. Every night your Dad and I would talk about everything, especially the war and when you’d be home. Then… you were gone… but never from my heart. Love you, cous. See you when I get there. — Peanut

— Raymond Christ, Cousin, Newville, PA — May 12, 2008

He Took My Place on the Gun

Thomas took my job as power man on the 155. I became battery clerk. I think of him often as that should have been me and not him. My best to all that see this. C Battery 1/92 Artillery.

— Mason Gough, Kill Devil Hills, NC — February 19, 2008

TC — I was crushed when I heard the news. I never thought I’d make it and you wouldn’t. I wish they had let me go to your funeral. I am so, so sorry. Rest in peace, cous. See you soon.

— Stew Christ, Cousin, Weapons Echo, 2/1, 1st Marine Division — August 18, 2004