Veterans History Project

The Veterans History Project of the Library of Congress collects, preserves, and makes accessible the personal accounts of American war veterans so that future generations may hear directly from veterans and better understand the realities of war.

Gilbert Miller (Gil) came from Vincennes, Indiana, a smaller community in the southwest part of the state. A decision needed to be made pertaining to which branch of service Gil was going to join. His father was a disabled veteran from WWII. The elder had lost the lower part of a leg and foot from a gunshot wound…and as a result of experimental surgery, had the limb re-attached. Gil was sure he wanted a branch that didn’t involve being shot at.

Gil selected the US Air Force and in short order, was in Indianapolis, getting a physical exam and other testing. Even sooner, he and others were on a flight to San Antonio, TX and then bussed to Lackland AFB.

He went through the training without any problems. He was a runner in high school, so the physical fitness training was not challenging. After six weeks, he had completed the requirements to graduate.

An NCO in the training staff knew a fire safety event was coming up and there was a project needed done. Gil had a steady hand at painting and lettering, so he was pulled away from training to work on building and lettering crosses. The end result was to show the deadly effects of fire. Then he graduated with his original group.

After a brief trip home, his next stop would be at Fairchild AFB, located in the area of Spokane, Washington. This is the home base for the 92nd Refueling Wing. There were lots of KC-135s and B-52 aircraft in the area. Gil had not been trained as a warehouseman so he went right to work, under the direct tutelage of a stern supervisor. Gil said that he had wanted to be a security forces (law enforcement) airman. Instead, he was in “supply”.

The next assignment was Tan Son Nhut AFB, Viet Nam. It is located near the city of Saigon in southern Vietnam. The United States used it as a major base during theVietnam War (1959–1975), stationing Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine units there. Gil was also at a place where he was getting shot at – not part of his original plan.

Gil was sent to a warehousing unit that was situated across the street from the mortuary services element. He realized he didn’t have it so bad. The role of the warehouse was to stock aircraft parts. Also stored in the warehouse were fifty-five gallon drums of diesel fuel, anti-freeze, oil, and a defoliant called Agent Orange. The drums were not sealed well. The contents leaked out and exposed those nearby to the concentrated form of the chemical. He served in Viet Nam for one year.

The next stop was Tyndall AFB near Panama City, FL. He’s still in the supply business. His work there was in the distribution of goods and picking items up from suppliers. Also, while here, he went into air traffic control field and it’s fourteen week training program.

He next served in Grand Forks AFB in North Dakota, and then to Mountain Home AFB, Idaho for air traffic control. One evening of duty a near-miss between two F-4s occurred. Although it was no fault of Gil’s, he wanted out of this kind of work. It was a time for going back to the supply system.

He was sent to a base in Thailand and put in charge of facility that stored and dispensed compressed gas. During this hitch, Gil was issued a handgun because of the responsibility of securing what he was responsible for. He discovered that a local vendor was misrepresenting his products he sold to the Air Force. The man was contracted to deliver 10,000 2 x 4s but actually delivered 8,000 of them. With an extra look, Gil figured the situation out quickly. Gil turned the vendor in to the AF supervisory chain and law enforcement. The vendor didn’t like being caught so he urged a local gang to go after Gil. It turned out that a gunfight happened and Gil shot one of the intruders. The gang fled. The vendor was eventually arrested and there no more problems. While in Thailand, Gil was the goal tender for the base soccer team.

There were to be many assignments to follow South East Asia. Another specialty field yielded Gil to be a Drug/Alcohol Counselor. His assignment was Elmendorf AFB, close to Anchorage, Alaska. It was hot in Thailand, not so much in Anchorage! This assignment was three years in duration. Counseling was a tough business.

Next was Warner Robins AFB, located south of Atlanta, GA. Gil became an instructor on camp establishment and the defense of same. Units would deploy to third world countries, establish camps, do the work and re-deploy. Initially, the Unit would announce the deployment plan. Support units would get their supplies for them, and off they would go. It seemed too cumbersome. Gill developed a way to have shipping containers ready beforehand and filled them for either a six-man or ten-man contingent. When the orders came out, the items were already prepared…just pick them up.

Gil’s last mission was at Warren AFB, Wyoming. He was a facility manager for a short term, then a First Sergeant of a field unit.

Gil earned several medals for his work over twenty-five years. He is modest in telling about them. He is also 100% disabled because of Agent Orange and its resulting damage. He served around the world and served many Commands.

Master Sergeant Gilbert Miller, you did good work and we’re better for it! Thank you for your service!!