Frank Miller was born in Jackson, Mississippi, in January 1946. His mother was a "Rosie the Welder,” and his father was a U.S. Army Aviation 1st Lieutenant briefly stationed there. Frank was born while his father was deployed to the island of Tinian as a Norden Bombsight Ordnance Officer. Tinian Airfield was where the two bombers carrying atomic bombs took off, bringing an end to the war with Japan.

After returning from the war, his father gathered his wife and son in Mississippi and moved them back to his home in Baldwin, Long Island, where Frank grew up.

After receiving his high school diploma, Frank was drafted into the U.S. Army. Following basic and advanced training, he was assigned to the 199th Light Infantry Brigade, which was being formed at Fort Benning, Georgia. "Light Infantry” also meant limited manpower, and officers actively scanned personnel records to fill critical roles.

Although his designated MOS was Clerk Typist, a captain selected him to serve as his aide in the Brigade Headquarters Aviation section. This captain was highly credentialed—Ranger, Pathfinder, Master Pilot, and Master Airborne—and was embarking on his second tour in Vietnam. He was highly respected by both the Commanding Brigadier General and the Deputy Commanding Officer, a colonel who had trained the brigade in Georgia. Frank got to know them both well. The captain ensured that Frank went through rigorous combat training, and he never touched a typewriter again—a relief, as the thought of typing for the rest of his tour had seemed unbearable. He preferred action.

During training, Frank was promoted to Specialist 4th Class, and his captain was promoted to major. In November 1966, they were deployed to Vietnam by ship.

While in Vietnam, Frank coordinated aviation assaults as a member of the Brigade’s "Fire Team,” which included himself as Aviation Coordinator, an Artillery Sergeant, and various Air Force pilots who would rotate down from the north for temporary duty. His major ensured that Frank saw combat, serving as a reserve helicopter gunner, a field advisor to ground units directing helicopter fire, and participating in missions with LRRP (Long-Range Reconnaissance Patrol) teams and Special Forces near the Cambodian border and in the Mekong Delta.

His pilots trained their crews to fly the UH-1 Hueys in case of emergency, and Frank accumulated about 50 flight hours. He also flew the OH-23, a smaller three-seat helicopter used primarily for transport and aerial observation. Though originally trained only on a typewriter, Frank quickly learned to operate an M-60 machine gun. In the Delta, while on Rag Boats, he fired the formidable .50 caliber M2 "Ma Deuce” machine gun, and in the air, his weapon of choice was the M-79 grenade launcher. Unlike hand grenades, which had a four-second fuse, the M-79 projectile only detonated on impact, making it an effective and reliable weapon in aircraft and small helicopters like the OH-23.

During his tour, Frank was promoted to Specialist 5th Class and was awarded the Air Medal, Bronze Star, and several other ribbons of distinction.

Upon returning home to Baldwin, Frank pursued his education, eventually earning a BBA in Finance and Economics and an MBA in Accounting. During that time, he also met and married his wife, Linda, who remains the most important person in his life. They have been married for over 50 years and have two sons and three grandchildren.

Frank went on to hold various corporate positions as a financial executive until his retirement. He joined the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Chapter 190, where he serves as Adjutant, and transferred his VFW life membership to Post 4927, where he has served as Junior Vice Commander and Service Officer.

Despite his many civilian endeavors, Frank still considers his time in Vietnam the most challenging and dangerous—yet also the most rewarding—experience of his life.