Craig Vernon Miller

COLONEL CRAIG "CV" VERNON MILLER, USAF (RET.)
U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 1959
Cadet Squadron: CS-04 ("Fighting Fourth")

Craig "CV" Vernon Miller was born in Belle Plaine, Iowa, to Fern and Vernon Miller, and grew up in Humboldt, Iowa. He graduated as valedictorian of Humboldt High School in 1954.

Craig initially planned to pursue civil engineering at Iowa State University to join his father's family business; however, his path shifted when asked if he would be interested in applying to a newly established military school in Colorado. His response was simple: "What do I have to lose?" He secured a congressional appointment and became one of just four young men selected from the state of Iowa to join the inaugural class of the United States Air Force Academy.

USAFA CADET & THE "AIRPLANE LOOPHOLE"
Assigned to Cadet Squadron 04, the "Fighting Fourth," Craig distinguished himself as an academic, athlete, and leader. He captained the Gold Team and served on the Honor Committee, playing an instrumental role in shaping the original Cadet Honor Code.

He was also famous among classmates for his sharp wit and technical resourcefulness. When USAFA regulations strictly prohibited cadets from owning automobiles, Craig noted that the rules said nothing about aircraft. His classmate Chuck Ferrari had a Piper Super Cruiser provided by Chuck's dad, allowing Craig to earn his private pilot’s license in 1957 while still a cadet. On June 3, 1959, he graduated with the Academy's historic first class, and married the love of his life, Sandy, the very next day on June 4, 1959.

OPERATIONAL FLYING & COMBAT MISSIONS
After earning his pilot wings, Miller began his fighter career in the F-86 Sabre. Over his 26-year Air Force career, he piloted the T-33, F-86, F-102, F-100, A-1E Skyraider, and T-38 Talon, earning the Barry Goldwater Top Gun Award while flying the F-100.

• Space Cabin Isolation Experiment (1961): Early in his career, Miller and his USAFA Class of 1959 classmate, Lt. Melvin E. Pollard, volunteered for a high-profile 17-day simulated lunar voyage inside an isolation chamber at the USAF School of Aerospace Medicine at Brooks AFB, Texas. Evaluating human endurance for early spaceflight, the pair spent enough time isolated to simulate flying "to the Moon and back." Upon emerging from the space cabin on October 5, 1961, they were personally greeted by Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson—with Craig famously stepping out to immediately ask the crowd for updates on Roger Maris and the 1961 World Series.

• Academic Tour (1967–1970): After earning a Master of Science degree from the University of California, Berkeley, he returned to the Academy as an Assistant Professor of Engineering Mechanics.

• F-100 & Transition to the A-1 Skyraider (1970–1971): In 1970, while at Luke AFB checking out in the F-100 enroute to Southeast Asia, Miller experienced an in-flight emergency. Where others had been forced to eject during similar incidents, Miller skillfully landed the aircraft safely. Following this checkout period, he transferred to Hurlburt Field, Florida, in 1971 for specialized A-1 Skyraider training.

• Vietnam War Combat ("Sandy" Rescue Pilot, 1971–1972): Deployed to Nakhon Phanom (NKP), Thailand, with the 1st Special Operations Squadron, Miller flew 77 combat search-and-rescue (CSAR) missions in the A-1 Skyraider. As a "Sandy" pilot, his role was to locate downed airmen and suppress enemy ground fire so rescue helicopters could safely extract them. His heroism earned him the Distinguished Flying Cross and six Air Medals.

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT & SYSTEMS COMMAND LEADERSHIP
Following his combat tour, Colonel Miller served in high-level research, development, and flight test assignments:

• Edwards AFB (1972–1974): Served as Center Flight Safety Officer at the Air Force Flight Test Center and flew as a T-38 chase plane pilot.

• Andrews AFB (1974–1976): Executive Aide to the Commander of Air Force Systems Command (AFSC).

• Armament Development, Eglin AFB (1976–1979): Key weapons development roles, including Assistant Director for the Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) project and Division Hardstructures Munitions.

• International Exchange, London, UK (1979–1981): U.S. Program Director in London for the JP233 Airfield Attack System joint program with British defense partners.

• Armament Division, Eglin AFB (1981–1985): System Program Director for Surface Attack programs.

Colonel Miller retired from active-duty after 26 years of dedicated military service, later continuing his work in defense engineering as a consultant.

FAMILY, HOBBIES & COMMUNITY
In civilian life, Craig was an avid golfer, traveler, and pilot. He regularly flew his family’s Piper Cherokee 140—an aircraft originally owned by his father that remained in the Miller family for over 50 years.

He remained active in the aviation community through the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), the Order of Daedalians, and the United Flying Octogenarians (UFOs), an organization for pilots actively flying solo past age 80.

Craig was preceded in death by his parents, Fern and Vernon, and his son, Scott V. Miller (USAFA Class of 1984), continuing the family's proud Academy tradition. Craig is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 65 years, Sandy (married June Week - June 4, 1959); his daughter, Linné (Joe) Weinberger; his daughter-in-law, Stephanie Miller; and five grandchildren: Scott Andrew, Samuel Miller, Dr. Sarah (Chris) Miller McMaster, Heidi Weinberger, and Shane Weinberger.

EDUCATION


Valedictorian Humboldt High School, IA 1954
Bachelor of Science U.S. Air Force Academy, CO 1955–1959
Undergraduate Pilot Training Bartow AB, FL / Webb AFB, TX 1959–1960
Master of Science University of California, Berkeley 1965–1967

MEDALS & MAJOR AWARDS

Legion of Merit 2
Distinguished Flying Cross 1
Meritorious Service Medal 1
Air Medal 6
Air Force Commendation Medal 3
Barry Goldwater Top Gun Award 1

SERVICE ASSIGNMENTS

1959–1960 Pilot Training Bartow AB, FL / Webb AFB, TX
1960–1964 Instructor Pilot / F-86 Pilot 4781st Combat Crew Training Sq, Perrin AFB, TX
1964–1965 Interceptor Pilot (F-102) 59th Fighter Interceptor Sq, Goose Bay, CN
1965–1967 Post-Graduate Student University of California, Berkeley (MS)
1967–1970 Assistant Professor of Engineering Mechanics U.S. Air Force Academy, CO
1970–1971 Fighter Pilot Checkout (F-100) Luke AFB, AZ
1971 A-1 Skyraider Training Hurlburt Field, FL
1971–1972 A-1 Skyraider "Sandy" CSAR Rescue Pilot 1st Special Operations Sq, Nakhon Phanom (NKP), Thailand
1972–1974 Flight Safety Officer & T-38 Chase Pilot Air Force Flight Test Center, Edwards AFB, CA
1974–1976 Executive Aide to Commander Air Force Systems Command (AFSC), Andrews AFB, MD
1976–1979 Assistant Director, AMRAAM / Hardstructures Eglin AFB, FL
1979–1981 U.S. Program Director, JP233 Airfield Attack System London, UK
1981–1985 System Program Director / Deputy Surface Attack Armament Division, Eglin AFB, FL
1985–1986 Consultant Vista Tek Inc., Fort Walton Beach, FL
1986–1987 Independent Consultant