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George H. Miller Papers, 1947-1969: Finding Aid

Published in 1996

Summary Information

  • Publisher: United States Naval Academy. Special Collections & Archives.
  • Publisher Address:
    589 McNair Road
    Annapolis, Maryland 21402-5029, USA
    Phone: 410-293-6917
    https://www.usna.edu/Library/sca/index.php
  • Call number: MS 312
  • Location: Special Collections & Archives Department - Manuscripts
  • Title: George H. Miller Papers
  • Dates: 1947-1969
  • Size: 0.21 linear feet
  • Container Summary: 1 half-manuscript box containing 25 items
  • Creator: Miller, George Harold, 1911-1994
  • Language(s) of material: English
  • Abstract: George H. Miller was a graduate of the United States Naval Academy Class of 1933 and a career officer, retiring with the rank of Rear Admiral. The papers, consisting of Miller's writings, speeches and Congressional testimony, pertain to general military policy and strategy, maritime strategy, and the future of the United States Navy.

Biographical Chronology of George H. Miller

1911
  • On June 30, is born in Chicago, Illinois to Mr. and Mrs. Fred Miller.
1929
  • On June 10, is admitted to the United States Naval Academy.
1933
  • Serves as Captain of the Naval Academy Water Polo Team, which won the Intercollegiate Championship.
  • On June 2, graduates from the United States Naval Academy and is commissioned Ensign in the United States Navy.
  • Attached to U.S.S. California (Battleship : BB-44) in the gunnery and communications departments.
1934
  • In June, is attached to U.S.S. Tuscaloosa (Heavy cruiser : CA-37), with duties in engineering, gunnery, and communications.
1936
  • In June, is detached from U.S.S. Tuscaloosa for duty aboard the destroyers U.S.S. Zane (Destroyer : DD-337) and U.S.S. Goff (Destroyer : DD-247) as Engineering Officer.
1938
  • U.S.S. Goff wins the Engineering "E" Award.
1939
  • U.S.S. Goff wins the Engineering "E" Award.
  • Ordered as Engineering Officer aboard U.S.S. Gilmer (Destroyer : DD-233).
1940
  • U.S.S. Gilmer wins the Engineering "E" Award.
  • In July, is assigned to U.S.S. St. Louis (Light cruiser : CL-49).
1941
  • In August, is detached from U.S.S. St. Louis.
  • In September, reports to the U.S. Naval Academy for duty in the Executive Department.
1943
  • In July, assumes command of U.S.S. Brennan (Destroyer escort : DE-13).
  • In December, reports to U.S.S. Houston (Light cruiser : CL-81) as Damage Control Officer.
1944
  • On October 14 and 15, U.S.S. Houston is torpedoed off Formosa and becomes the most heavily flooded ship to stay afloat in either World War. Miller is awarded the Navy Cross for heroism as Damage Control Officer.
1945
  • In July, serves aboard U.S.S. Houston as Executive Officer.
1946
  • In July, is detached from U.S.S. Houston.
  • Enters the Strategy and Tactics course at the Naval War College.
1947
  • Serves as Plans Officer on the staff of the President, Naval War College.
1949
  • In October, assumes command of U.S.S. Hollister (Destroyer : DD-788).
1950
  • U.S.S. Hollister is awarded the Battle Efficiency "E."
  • In August, leads U.S.S. Hollister through mined waters to Wonsan Harbor (Korea) to rescue a downed United Nations pilot.
  • On September 7, reports to Commander Joint Task Force 7 (Commander Seventh Fleet) as Plans Officer, and is subsequently awarded the Legion of Merit with Combat "V" for his service.
1952
  • In April, is detached from Japan-Korea waters for duty at the Navy Department as Head of the Strategic Studies Branch in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations.
1954
  • In October, receives command of Destroyer Division 322 in the Atlantic Fleet.
1955
  • In November, is detached from Destroyer Division 322 for service as a member of the General Planning Group in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations.
1957
  • In September, receives orders as commanding officer of the oiler U.S.S. Elokomin (AO-55).
1958
  • On July 18, his selection to the rank of Rear Admiral is approved by the President.
1959
  • In January, assumes command of Cruiser Division Five, which served in Japan and Western Pacific waters. Additionally serves as Commander, Surface Striking Forces, U.S. Seventh Fleet.
1960
  • In February, becomes the Navy member of the Joint Strategic Survey Council, Joint Chiefs of Staff.
1962
  • In September, is appointed Chief of Staff, Headquarters, U.S. Forces, Japan.
1964
  • In January, reports to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations as Director, Long Range Objectives Group.
1967
  • On February 1, is appointed the first Director of Navy Strategic Offensive and Defensive Systems in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations.
1972
  • Retires from the U.S. Navy but continues to serve as Special Assistant to the Administrator of the Maritime Administration as a recalled-retired officer until 1975.
1994
  • On April 21, dies in Annapolis, Maryland.
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Description of Contents

The George H. Miller Papers, comprising 2.5 linear inches of documentation, span from 1947 to 1969. The collection consists of twenty-three papers by Miller, including articles (published and unpublished), essays, speeches, and his 1969 Congressional testimonies. The majority of the materials pertain to military policy, sea power and maritime strategy, and the future role and development of the United States Navy.

Included with the materials written by Miller are an official U.S. Navy biography of Miller, as well as an index of the writings in the collection.

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Arrangement

The George H. Miller Papers are arranged chronologically.

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Access and Use

Access

Access is unrestricted.

Copyright and Permission

The George H. Miller Papers are the physical property of Nimitz Library. Copyright belongs to the authors or creators of the works, or their legal representatives. For further information, consult the Head, Special Collections & Archives.

It is the responsibility of the researcher to secure written permission to publish, reprint, or reproduce material from Special Collections & Archives. The researcher assumes responsibility for infringement of copyright or literary or publication rights. Please contact the Head, Special Collections & Archives for permission to publish and for further information.

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Acquisition and Appraisal

Provenance and Acquisition

Unknown.

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Related Materials

Related Archival Material

Additional material pertaining to Admiral George H. Miller's Navy career and time as a midshipman may be found in his Midshipman Personnel Jacket (sealed until 2037) and Alumni Jacket in Special Collections & Archives, Nimitz Library.

Materials Cataloged Separately

No materials have been removed from this collection and cataloged separately.

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Processing and Other Information

Preferred Citation

George H. Miller Papers, MS 312

Special Collections & Archives Department

Nimitz Library

United States Naval Academy

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Mary R. Catalfamo in 1996. Finding aid written by Mary R. Catalfamo in 1996 and revised by David D'Onofrio in February 2014.

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Subject Headings

Name and Subject Terms

  • Miller, George Harold, 1911-1994
  • Naval Strategy
  • Sea-power -- United States

Genre Terms

  • Articles
  • Manuscripts
  • Speeches (documents)
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Contents List

Box 1 Folder 1

Rear Admiral George H. Miller United States Navy Biography, undated

Includes a copy of an index to the articles in the collection.

Box 1 Folder 2

The Influence of the Atomic Bomb on Future Naval Warfare, 1947 May 1

Naval War College thesis.

Box 1 Folder 3

"Sea Power is World Power", 1949 March

Published in U.S. Naval War College Information Service for Officers.

Box 1 Folder 4

"Fundamentals of National Strategy", 1949 April

U.S. Naval War College. Circulated to staff and students.

Box 1 Folder 5

"Strategy of the Future - A Second Look", 1950 May

Published in United States Naval Institute Proceedings. Awarded Honorable Mention in the Prize Essay Contest.

Box 1 Folder 6

"Sea Power for Tomorrow", 1952 September

Published in United States Naval Institute Proceedings.

Box 1 Folder 7

"The Navy Philosophical Approach to War", 1952 December 4

Address at the Air War College.

Box 1 Folder 8

"Shall We Blow Them Up?", 1953 February

Published in United States Naval Institute Proceedings.

Box 1 Folder 9

"Korea - A Lesson in Strategy", 1953 May 6

Address at Western New York Commandery of the Naval Order of the United States, Rochester, New York.

Box 1 Folder 10

"Must We Live in Fear?", 1953 May

Published in United States Naval Institute Proceedings and reprinted in Military Review in December 1953.

Box 1 Folder 11

"Navy Capabilities of Augmenting Theater Forces, Far East", 1954 April 2

Address at the Air War College.

Box 1 Folder 12

"Sea Power and Maritime Strategy Today", 1954 December 15

Address at the Naval War College.

Box 1 Folder 13

"Don't Give Up the Ships", 1958 November

Submitted to the Naval Institute Prize Essay Contest. Not published.

Box 1 Folder 14

"Not for the Timid", 1959 May

Published in United States Naval Institute Proceedings. Awarded Honorable Mention in the Prize Essay Contest.

Box 1 Folder 15

"Strategic Balance", 1964 January 16

Originally submitted to Naval Institute in 1963.

Box 1 Folder 16

"Future Naval Forces", 1964 May 20

Address at Navy Communications Panel Discussion for 1964 Armed Forces Communication-Electronics Convention.

Box 1 Folder 17

Presentation to the Advanced Sea-Based Deterrent Summer Study Group, Monterey, California, 1964 June 8

Box 1 Folder 18

"Problems of National Strategy in the 1980's, 1964 November

Published in Navy Magazine.

Box 1 Folder 19

"Navy Projections of Long-Range Objectives", 1965 April 19

Keynote Address, International Conference on Solid Propellants, Purdue University, Lafayette, Indiana.

Box 1 Folder 20

"The Navy and Limited Warfare", 1966 April

Abridged version published in Air Force/Space Digest International.

Box 1 Folder 21

Address to Navy Technical Workshop on Chemical Propulsion, Orlando, Florida, 1966 March 21

Box 1 Folder 22

Testimony before House of Representatives, Committee on Armed Forces, Special Subcommittee on Sea Power, 1969 January 30

Box 1 Folder 23

Presentation before House of Representatives, Committee on Armed Services - SABMIS, 1969 April 22

Box 1 Folder 24

Edited Transcript of remarks by Rear Admiral Miller at Georgetown University Center for Strategic Studies Seminar on the Future Role of the U.S. Navy, 1969 August 18

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