US Air Force MSgt Keary Miller: Air Force Cross Recipient Operation Enduring Freedom

On March 4, 2002, in the rugged mountains of Afghanistan, Air Force Combat Search and Rescue Team Leader TSgt Keary J. Miller survived a crash landing when his MH-47E helicopter was shot down by al Qaeda and Taliban fighters. Surrounded and under constant fire, Miller moved across open terrain to treat the wounded, repeatedly risking his life to save others. He gathered ammo from the fallen, redistributed it under heavy fire, and moved critically wounded teammates to safety as mortar and RPG blasts rocked the battlefield. His actions led to the rescue of 10 wounded and the recovery of 7 fallen Americans. For his heroism, his Silver Star was later upgraded to the Air Force Cross.

Air Force Cross Citation:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Title 10, Section 8742, United States Code, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Cross to Technical Sergeant Keary J. Miller, United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force while serving with the 123d Special Tactics Squadron, during combat operations in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, near Marzak, Patkia Province, Afghanistan, on 4 March 2002. On that proud date, Sergeant Miller was the Air Force Combat Search and Rescue Team Leader assigned to a Quick Reaction Force tasked to recover two American servicemen evading capture in austere terrain occupied by massed al Qaida and Taliban forces. Shortly before landing, his MH-47E helicopter received accurate rocket-propelled grenade and small arms fire, severely disabling the aircraft and causing it to crash land. Sergeant Miller and the remainder of the assault force formed a hasty defense and immediately suffered four fatalities and five critical casualties. Despite intense enemy fire, he moved throughout the battlefield, crossing open danger areas on numerous occasions, in order to assess and care for critically wounded servicemen. As the battle drew on, Sergeant Miller removed M-203 and 5.56 rounds from the deceased and, in multiple acts of extraordinary courage, proceeded through some of the day’s heaviest rocket-propelled grenade, mortar, and small arms fire, while distributing the ammunition from position to position. Shortly thereafter another attack erupted, killing one Pararescueman and compromising the casualty collection point. Sergeant Miller braved the barrage of fire in order to move the wounded to better cover and concealment. His intrepidity and skill led to the successful delivery of ten gravely wounded Americans to life-saving medical treatment and to the recovery of seven servicemen killed in action. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Sergeant Miller has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

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