Vietnam War Veteran
Martin Miller
Interview by:
Natalie Cataldo and Emily Miller
Martin Miller in his uniform with his wife in the corner - 1966
December 2015: Emily, Martin Miller, and Natalie
" Just like the soldiers of today, they don’t want to go, but they go because they are trying to help their
country and they ... make it safer for everybody here."
~ Martin Miller (19:47)
Name:
Martin Miller
Date of Birth:
July 30, 1940
Branch of Service:
US Navy
Dates of Service:
October 29, 1962 -
October 29, 1966
Location of Military Service:
Navel Air Station in Millington,
Tennessee; Whidbey Island in Washington;
Sanford, Florida; USS Forrestal,
and the USS Constellation
Residence at Time of Interview:
Sandwich, MA
Martin Miller's Story:
In 1962, young Martin Miller, at the age of twenty-two, was drafted into the US military during the Vietnam War. He decided the safest position was in the Navy and enlisted in that branch. Mr. Miller left the United States from Norfolk, Virginia on the USS Forrestal to go to the Mediterranean Sea.
After training, Mr. Miller was brought onto the USS Forrestal, where he was a fire control technician. A fire control technician makes sure the pilots and their planes were well taken care of and ready for battle, an extremely important job. While he was in the Navy, Mr. Miller went all over the world, even to Paris. His first port was in Europe. He stayed on the USS Forrestal until he came back into the United States, then he switched ships to the USS Constellation. Mr. Miller wasn't in combat, but witnessed a catastrophic event on the ship. After that he was discharged.
Mr. Miller was in the Navy for four years, and during the last year overseas, his baby boy was born. He was able to recoup after the war and find a job. Mr. Miller ended up residing on Cape Cod, close to his family, surrounded by people that he loves.
Pictures of Mr. Miller throughout and after his Navy experience:
Mr. Miller in his white uniform, 1960's
In Paris at Chanel for his wife, 1963
In the boat, writing, 1960's
In the boat, lockers in background, 1960's
In his uniform, on the side of the USS Constellation, 1965
Seeing his newborn son for the first time,
October, 1966
Supplements:
Mr. Miller traveled to Italy, Spain, the Black Sea, and Turkey.
When Mr. Miller returned to the United States, the first place he returned to was New York Harbor, as shown as the red pin point. He then traveled to Norfolk, Virginia.
USS Constellation in 1960's
USS Forrestal in 1960's