Francis Donald Miller (April 9, 1920 – January 17, 1996) was a United States Army colonel, executive director of the USOC, a national collegiate champion boxer, and U.S. Olympic Boxing Team head coach.
F. Don Miller | |
|---|---|
| Born | April 9, 1920 Racine, Wisconsin |
| Died | January 17, 1996 (aged 75) Colorado Springs, Colorado |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1943–1969 |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Battles / wars | World War II, Korea, Vietnam |
| Awards | Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart |
Early life and education
editMiller was born in Racine, Wis on April 9, 1920. He graduated from St. Catherine's High School in 1939 and then earned a physical education degree from the University of Wisconsin.
He won the 1943 national collegiate boxing title while at Wisconsin. He coached the United States boxing teams in the 1951 Pan American Games and 1956 Olympic Games.[1]
Military career
editEarning the rank of second lieutenant in ROTC program at the University of Wisconsin, Miller entered into active service and commissioned as an officer at Fort Benning, Georgia, in April, 1943.[citation needed] During European combat in World War II he served as a company commander for the 313th Infantry Regiment, 79th Division.[2] On November 24, 1945, he was wounded by enemy fire while leading a 7th Army platoon into the city of Strasbourg, France.[citation needed] Miller received multiple awards for his military career, including a Purple Heart and Silver Star. For his sports career, Miller went to Fort Monmouth, New Jersey and was in charge of boxing held at the U.S. Special Services School.[2]
In 1949 he was assigned to the U.S. Army sports and recreation director at the Pentagon in Washington D.C.[citation needed] During the 1950s, Miller worked for the Eighth United States Army as an assistant and the Fourth United States Army as a supervisor.[2] In 1961, he was assigned to the Adjutant General's office at Fort Amador, Panama. Miller was also head of the Army sports programs and a member of the USOC board of directors[1]
Olympics career
editAfter retiring from the Army, Miller devoted the remainder of his life to the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) and America's athletes. He served in a variety of positions for the USOC, starting in 1969, when he worked as an assistant executive director and led the fundraising department. In 1973, Miller was named executive director and remained at that position until 1985.[3] During his position, Miller provided athletes with sports medicine and was a National Sports Festival planner.[4] He was President of the U.S. Olympic Foundation from 1985 until his passing in 1996.
Miller received the Knight of Maltain 1965 and the Olympic Order in 1984. The following year, Miller was presented with a Board of Governors' award[5] from the Touchdown Club of Washington.[1] He was inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame of the National Association of Sports and Physical Education. Miller also received the Centennial Trophy from the U.S. Olympic Committee in 1995.[6]
Miller was married and had two 2 children.[6]
Awards and recognition
edit1965 - Knighted into the Order of Malta
1984 - awarded the IOC Silver Olympic Order[7]
1984 - inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame[8]
1985 - presented the DC Touchdown Club's Board of Governor's Award
1985 - awarded The Olympic & Paralympic Torch Award[9]
1995 - awarded the IOC Centennial Trophy
1997 - F. Don Miller residence hall dedicated at Olympic Training Center
2001 - inducted into the St. Catherine's H.S. Hall of Fame
United States Army Decorations
edit
References
edit- ^ a b c Litsky, Frank (1996-01-18). "F. Don Miller, 75, U.S. Olympic Committee Chief". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-12-07.
- ^ a b c Trower, Ralph (7 October 1956). "Sports, It's this way..." Racine Journal Times. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
- ^ Attner, Paul (June 8, 1977). "'Straight-Shooting' Miller Works Unity Wonders". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
- ^ "F. Don Miller, Former Head of USOC, Is Dead at 75". Los Angeles Times. 1996-01-18. Retrieved 2021-12-07.
- ^ "DC Touchdown Club". DC Touchdown Club. Retrieved 2021-12-07.
- ^ a b By (19 January 1996). "St. Catherine's grad, U.S. Olympic official, dies at 75". Journal Times. Retrieved 2021-12-07.
- ^ "Olympic awards presented at the 87th IOC Session". Olympic Review. No. 197. March 1984. p. 164. Retrieved March 5, 2022.
- ^ "F. Don Miller". United States Olympic & Paralympic Hall of Fame. Retrieved March 5, 2022.
- ^ "Olympic & Paralympic Torch". United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee. Retrieved March 5, 2022.