Michael Martin Miller

Colonel Michael Martin Miller was born in Atlanta, GA and raised in Columbia, SC. He graduated from Eau Claire High School in 1955. He graduated from the University of SC in 1960 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in education after postponing his education due to his burgeoning military career. He later completed his Masters Degree at Shippensburg University.

He had an extraordinary military career in the Air Force beginning as an enlisted airman at age 16 in the SC Air National Guard in 1954. After basic training in NY, he was stationed at McEntire Air National Guard Base, SC as a radar technician. In 1957, he entered Aviation Cadet Training and by June 1958 was a Second Lieutenant, finishing at the top of his class in flight school.

Colonel Miller was called to active duty with the USAF in 1961 and was assigned to Moron Air Base, Spain followed by Chambley Air Base, France in 1962 then Holloman AFB, New Mexico. In 1964, he was assigned to Bien Hoa AFB, Republic of Viet Nam. When he returned to the US in 1965 he attended Squadron Officer School at Maxwell AFB, Alabama graduating with honors as a Distinguished Graduate.

1966 found him transferred to the Davis-Monthan AFB in Arizona followed by Nellis AFB, Nevada in 1967. Here he joined the famous Air Force Aerial Demonstration Team, the Thunderbirds, as a narrator and a dual-solo pilot.

In 1972, he was assigned to the Ubon Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand. He was promoted to the grade of Colonel in 1973 and graduated from the U.S. Army War College in PA in 1974. From there he was assigned to the University of Virginia at Charlottesville as Commander/Professor of Air Science.

From 1976 to 1978 Colonel Miller served as Commander of the US Logistics Group in Izmir, Turkey then Vice Commander at Zaragoza, Spain. He then completed his military service as Vice Commander, 507th Tactical Air Control Wing, Shaw AFB, SC serving there until 1980.

Colonel Michael Miller was a Command Pilot with more than 3900 hours of flying time and over 400 combat missions. His awards and decorations include the Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross with four oak leaf clusters, Airman’s Medal, Bronze Star, and the Air Medal with 18 oak leaf clusters. He flew many aircraft including the F-104, F-102, F-84, A-1H, F-4, F-100 Super Sabre, F-4D and E.

After retirement, Colonel Miller was employed by Boeing Aviation as an instructor and the site manager for the Air Force simulator program responsible for training Air Force pilots initially in MacDill AFB, Fla. then Shaw AFB, SC.

In 2023, Colonel Michael Miller was inducted into the S.C. Aviation Association Hall of Fame. Much of his memorabilia is displayed at the S.C.National Guard Museum in Columbia, SC.

Colonel Miller is predeceased by his parents, Earnest L. Miller and Myrtice M. Miller. Also, his spouses Jacquelyn C. Miller, Barbara S. Miller and son-in law, Jeffrey B. Smoak.

He is survived by his siblings, R. Patrick Miller (Dolly), J. Mark Miller and Judy J. Dease (Don); his children, J. Christian (Chris) Miller (Catherine) and Laura M. Smoak; his grandchildren, Jordan N. Miller (Kyle), Shelby M. Trinter (Ryan), Tucker G. Smoak, and Miller A. Smoak; his great-grandchildren, Emery G. Miller and Sullivan J. Trinter; and many nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to thank all of his caregivers in his later years and especially the staff at NHC Lexington where he spent his final years. The Silver Foxes, McEntire ANG base, and the entire fraternity of fighter pilots have given him more joy than can be expressed.

A visitation will be held from 12:00 until 1:30 pm on Thursday, January 23, 2025 at Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Colonel Miller’s memory to the Wounded Warriors Project or any charity honoring the men and women who bravely serve our country.