Courage Under Fire December 2003

Part I

Everyone has heard of Jessica Lynch and her bravery as a prisoner of war. Few people, however, know the story of Pfc. Patrick Miller, whose heroism truly saved the day for Lynch and many other American soldiers. Private Miller exhibited outstanding courage and duty while under fire in Iraq, and he continues to show great humility, befitting a true hero.

The Story

Patrick Miller did not enlist in the Army seeking glory and fame. The 23-year-old from Valley Center, Kansas simply wanted to serve his country and earn some money to pay for an education. Certainly, his prospect for valor did not seem likely at first.   After failing his first marksmanship test, Patrick was assigned to the 507 th Maintenance Company as a welder. When he was sent to Iraq eight months later, he was not afraid. As a mechanic, he thought he would be far from combat action; but circumstances proved otherwise.

Four days into the war, Private Miller found himself driving a truck at the rear of a large convoy heading toward Baghdad. Unfortunately, a group of vehicles, including Patrick's, fell behind the convoy and became lost. While trying to reunite with their convoy, the group drove right into a deadly ambush of Iraqi troops. Suddenly, a hailstorm of enemy bullets was pounding on Miller's truck. As he reached out to adjust his mirror, one of the bullets shattered it to pieces. At the same time, another bullet killed one of his passengers, Pfc. Brandon Sloan. "It just felt like a real bad war movie," Miller recalls. "You were actually seeing people die in front of you."

When his truck finally lost power, Miller bailed out and ran for cover. He first came upon an overturned Humvee, inside which lay a badly injured Jessica Lynch. The only chance for escape, he thought, was an Iraqi dump truck parked 50 yards up the road.   He made a run for it. According to Patrick, "All I could see was the bullets that were hitting the dirt around my feet."

Before he reached the truck, Private Miller noticed a group of Iraqis setting up a mortar position in front of it.   They were aiming for his fellow soldiers taking cover behind him. Though outnumbered seven to one (Rather than take off in the truck), Patrick decided to protect his friends. Taking cover behind a nearby sand dune, he steadied his rifle. After each shot, his gun jammed; but each time, he fixed it and shot again.   Soon, the firing stopped. The young man who had failed at marksmanship did his job.

Part II

Courage under Fire

Private Miller's courage was tested in that life-threatening situation. No doubt his own fortitude contributed to his brave actions. "Fortitude is the moral virtue that ensures firmness in difficulties and constancy in the pursuit of the good... It disposes one even to renounce and sacrifice his life in defense of a just cause" ( Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1808). Even at great risk to his own life, Private Miller put the well being of others first.

Miller and his fellow soldiers were eventually captured by the Iraqis. Friends and family were afraid for their safety, but Patrick was brave. He sang American songs and told jokes. His captors did not like it much, but his friends took courage from Private Miller's example. "It's small victories that keep your hope up," he says. "You got to have small victories for yourself when you're in situations like that."

All in a Day's Work

Although his actions were heroic, Private Miller does not think that he did anything out of the ordinary. His courage was accompanied by a strong sense of duty. Duty is unfailing commitment to a task, no matter how big or small. To us, Patrick's actions are amazing, but to him, it was simply part of his job. "I don't feel that I am a hero," Miller insists, "because I feel that I was doing my job as a soldier. I was doing what I volunteered to do."

God has a mission for each of us. The better we are prepared, the stronger we will respond to special challenges. Private Miller never expected to be in such a situation, but he knew his duty and was ready to respond. We can prepare ourselves by following through with our duties at home, at school, and with our friends.

Humility

Private Miller received the Silver Star for valor, the fourth highest honor for a soldier.   He was one of only 90 out of 150,000 soldiers to receive the award and the only one from his Company. Circumstances have helped Miller practice humility. Humility is the virtue that helps us recognize our equality with others and restrains our desire to rise above them. Private Miller does not feel insulted that Jessica Lynch has received more fame, and he has not sought out media attention for himself.

Current Issues are
available 3 months
after date published

Click Here to go back to Archives