Hero Gets His Silver Star
Birmingham (AL) News
July 29, 2007
Hero Gets His Silver Star
Locust fork man wanted son honored
By Walter Bryant, News staff writer
The family of a Blount County soldier who died six months ago in Iraq received the U.S. military's third highest valor award Saturday on the football field of Locust Fork High School, where he graduated two years ago.
Pfc. Johnathon Miles Millican, 20, had been in the Army for 17 months on Jan. 20 when insurgents entered and attacked a building where he was in Karbala. Attackers tossed a concussion grenade into a communications room where Millican and four other soldiers were. He threw himself on top of the grenade in an effort to protect his comrades.
The Trafford soldier was buried Feb. 3 at Jefferson Memorial Gardens in Trussville. He was survived by his wife and high-school sweetheart, Shannon Millican.
"He will become part of the latest greatest generation," Brig. Gen. Genaro Dellarocco, program executive officer for missiles and space at Huntsville's Redstone Arsenal, said before presenting the Silver Star to Mitchell Millican, the soldier's father.
Millican said his son's Silver Star medal is dedicated to all who serve in the armed forces. "That's what keeps us free."
In comments after the ceremony, Millican said his son had planned to stay in the Army for an additional three years, then get a degree in education and return to Locust Fork High School to teach science and physical education.
Millican said he wants to see his son's Silver Star upgraded to the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest military valor award.
Shannon Millican declined to be interviewed after the ceremony.
The soldier was serving with the 2nd Battalion, 377th Parachute Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team of the 25th Infantry Division.
He was one of five soldiers who died in the Jan. 20 attack on a facility known as the Provisional Joint Coordination Center. He was off duty in a communications room exchanging e-mail messages with his wife.
Reps. Spencer Bachus, who represents the 6th Congressional District, and Robert Aderholt, who represents the 4th District, also spoke at the ceremony.
"Johnathon's life was short, but his legacy will last," Bachus said.
He said Millican will be remembered for his heroic sacrifice. "The students who go past the memorial here at Locust Fork High School should know that a real hero walked their halls."
Aderholt also cited Millican's heroism. "His sacrifice allowed his fellow soldiers to repel their attackers."
Members of veterans organizations, including the American Legion, sat near the Millican family on the football field. In addition to a military color guard, members of the Sons of the American Revolution wore military uniforms of that period and held Revolutionary War, American and state flags.
There was a low-level flyover by a KC-135 tanker from the Birmingham-based 117th Air Refueling Wing of the Alabama Air National Guard.
Also attending were several members the Patriot Guard, a veterans motorcycle group that attends the funerals of members of the armed forces killed in combat.
July 29, 2007
Hero Gets His Silver Star
Locust fork man wanted son honored
By Walter Bryant, News staff writer
The family of a Blount County soldier who died six months ago in Iraq received the U.S. military's third highest valor award Saturday on the football field of Locust Fork High School, where he graduated two years ago.
Pfc. Johnathon Miles Millican, 20, had been in the Army for 17 months on Jan. 20 when insurgents entered and attacked a building where he was in Karbala. Attackers tossed a concussion grenade into a communications room where Millican and four other soldiers were. He threw himself on top of the grenade in an effort to protect his comrades.
The Trafford soldier was buried Feb. 3 at Jefferson Memorial Gardens in Trussville. He was survived by his wife and high-school sweetheart, Shannon Millican.
"He will become part of the latest greatest generation," Brig. Gen. Genaro Dellarocco, program executive officer for missiles and space at Huntsville's Redstone Arsenal, said before presenting the Silver Star to Mitchell Millican, the soldier's father.
Millican said his son's Silver Star medal is dedicated to all who serve in the armed forces. "That's what keeps us free."
In comments after the ceremony, Millican said his son had planned to stay in the Army for an additional three years, then get a degree in education and return to Locust Fork High School to teach science and physical education.
Millican said he wants to see his son's Silver Star upgraded to the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest military valor award.
Shannon Millican declined to be interviewed after the ceremony.
The soldier was serving with the 2nd Battalion, 377th Parachute Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team of the 25th Infantry Division.
He was one of five soldiers who died in the Jan. 20 attack on a facility known as the Provisional Joint Coordination Center. He was off duty in a communications room exchanging e-mail messages with his wife.
Reps. Spencer Bachus, who represents the 6th Congressional District, and Robert Aderholt, who represents the 4th District, also spoke at the ceremony.
"Johnathon's life was short, but his legacy will last," Bachus said.
He said Millican will be remembered for his heroic sacrifice. "The students who go past the memorial here at Locust Fork High School should know that a real hero walked their halls."
Aderholt also cited Millican's heroism. "His sacrifice allowed his fellow soldiers to repel their attackers."
Members of veterans organizations, including the American Legion, sat near the Millican family on the football field. In addition to a military color guard, members of the Sons of the American Revolution wore military uniforms of that period and held Revolutionary War, American and state flags.
There was a low-level flyover by a KC-135 tanker from the Birmingham-based 117th Air Refueling Wing of the Alabama Air National Guard.
Also attending were several members the Patriot Guard, a veterans motorcycle group that attends the funerals of members of the armed forces killed in combat.
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God Bless Him!! I am glad he was finally honored. 0 -
Another sad story about a soldier and his loved one's. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Raupleminze
God Bless Him!! I am glad he was finally honored.
+10 -
The true meaning of a hero. R.I.P. sir. 0
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