Biographical/historical information

Miller was born on August 12, 1920 at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He later married the former Kathleen Coles of Newport, R.I. Miller entered the U.S. Naval Academy in July 1937 and was commissioned Ensign on February 7, 1941. His first ship assignment was as Assistant Navigator aboard the USS NORTH CAROLINA from 1941-1943. Next, Miller was assigned to Commander, Transport Division TEN and FOURTEEN until May 1944. From August 1942 until May 1944 he participated in the landing and support operations at Guadalcanal and Bougainville. From June 1944 to May 1946 Miller served aboard the USS SAVANNAH, and on the USS MISSISSIPPI until October 1948. He also served a few months on the USS OREGON CITY while USS MISSISSIPPI was dry docked. During 1950 and 1951 Miller saw action off Korea with Commander, United Nations Blockading and Escort Force. From May 1951 through April 1953, he served aboard the USS LEWIS HANCOCK. In May 1953, Miller was sent to serve at the Fleet Training Center in Newport, R.I., where he stayed until October 1955. Next, Miller was in command of the USS HUSE from November 1955 until April 1957, then commanded the USS BROWNSON until June 1958. From June 1958 to May 1961, Miller served at the Office of Chief of Naval Operations, and from June 1961 through May 1963 on the Staff of Commander Carrier Division FOURTEEN. In June 1961 Miller reported for duty to the Staff, Commandant 17th Naval District in Kodiak, Alaska where he served until August 1964. Miller was in Kodiak at the time of the destructive earthquake and tidal wave that occurred there in 1964, and later received a commendation for his service to the town during the tragedy. After leaving Alaska, he was promoted to Officer in Charge District Intelligence Office, First Naval District, in Boston, Massachusetts. Then, in February 1966 he was promoted to commanding officer at Naval Investigative Service Office in Boston. Miller assumed his last naval assignment in July 1970 as Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations of the First Naval District. He retired with a physical disability in October 1970. Miller holds the following medals: Navy Unit Commendation for Alaskan Recovery, 1964; American Defense with one star; American Area Campaign; Asiatic-Pacific with five stars; European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign; Navy Occupation; World War Two Victory; Korean Service with four stars; United Nations Service Ribbon; Expert Pistol Medal; National Defense Service Medal with bronze star; Korean Presidential Citation Ribbon; Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and second Navy United Commendation Medal.

Scope and arrangement

The collection consists of Miller's service records (1938-1968), and a small amount of his post-service records, (1970-1997). These records include official Navy correspondence relating to Miller's orders, change of duty, commendations and medals awarded and letters of appreciation. Also included are lists compiled by Miller that document his tours of duty, naming ships, dates and locations visited. Publications include programs for the 1941 graduating class of the U.S. Naval Academy Program and the launching of the U.S. ship Reeves, a guided missile frigate twenty-four, in 1970 at Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine. Also included is a pictorial booklet documenting the destructive earthquake and tidal wave that occurred in 1964 at Kodiak, Alaska. Of particular interest, are documents entitled "USS NORTH CAROLINA's Characteristics and Commissioning" which offer specific details on the construction of the ship. Also present are documents describing the fiftieth anniversary reenactment of the commissioning of this ship in 1991, sponsored by the USS NORTH CAROLINA Battleship Association. These documents include a letter written to Miller from one of his fellow shipman, Ned Garrett, requesting his attendance, as well as a program of the event. The event program contains handwritten notes, suggesting that Miller participated in the celebration. There are also several photographs present in the collection, many of which concern naval ships. These include the original commissioning of the USS NORTH CAROLINA, and images of the USS ERBEN, USS MILLER, USS LEWIS HANCOCK (hand colored), USS BROWNSON and USS SAVANNAH. Other photographs include a view of landing and support operations near Bougainville, Korean War aerial views, the 1964 earthquake and tidal wave at Kodiak, Alaska, the crew of Transport Division 14 flagship USCG Hunter Liggett at Guadalcanal and Miller with the U.S. Ambassador & Head of USIS (United States Information Service) at Rangoon, Burma. Several photographs also document various ceremonies and training exercises, some of which were held at Fleet Training Center at Newport, R.I. Additionally, there are several photographs of Miller receiving awards and attending change of command ceremonies.

Administrative information

Custodial History

February 13, 2002 1 container, 0.25 cubic feet; U. S. Navy service records (1940-1991), including citations, correspondence, personnel and retirement records, photographs and printed materials pertaining to the U. S. Naval Academy Class of 1941, USS North Carolina (BB-55), Transport Divisions 14 and 10, USS Savannah (CL-42), USS Mississippi (AG-128), USS Oregon City (CA-123), USS Lewis Hancock (DD-675), USS Huse (DE-145), USS Brownson (DD-868), Carrier Division 14, 17th Naval District, Kodiak, AK, and the First Naval District Intelligence Office, Boston, (0.25 cubic feet). Donor: Capt. Harry Zellner Miller.

June 5, 2002 (addition 1), 1 container, 0.01 cubic feet, 21 pages; Papers (1950-1970), including correspondence, documents, maps, photographs, relating to his service in the US Navy. See preliminary inventory attached. Donor: Capt. Harry Zellner Miller.

August 19, 2002 (addition 2), 1 container, 0.25 cubic feet, 60 pages; Papers (1943-1991), including Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon citation, correspondence, photographs and printed materials pertaining to his naval career, USS NORTH CAROLINA (BB-55), Transport Division 14, USS SAVANNAH (CL-42), USS LEWIS HANCOCK (DD-675), USS BROWNSON (DD-868), 14, 17th Naval District, Kodiak, AK, and the First Naval District Intelligence Office, Boston. See preliminary inventory attached. Donor: Capt. Harry Zellner Miller.

Source of acquisition

Gift of Capt. Harry Zellner Miller

Processing information

Encoded by Apex Data Services

Processed by: Jason Kokinda May 2004 Dale Sauter 2009

Copyright notice

Literary rights to specific documents are retained by the authors or their descendants in accordance with U.S. copyright law.

Key terms

Personal Names

Miller, Harry Zellner, 1920-2010

Corporate Names

North Carolina (Battleship : BB-55)
Oregon City (Cruiser)
Savannah (Light cruiser)
United States. Navy--Officers
United States. Navy. Naval District, 1st

Topical

Earthquakes--Alaska--Kodiak
Korean War, 1950-1953
Warships--United States
World War, 1939-1945--Campaigns--Pacific Ocean

Places

Bougainville Island (Papua New Guinea)--Military history
Korea--Aerial views

Container list