Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who died in service to their country. The holiday was officially proclaimed in 1868 to honor Union and Confederate soldiers and was expanded after World War I to honor those who died in all wars. It became an official federal holiday in 1971, known as Prayer for Peace, Memorial Day.
Key figures from the Defense Casualty Analysis System and the US Census:
- Over 1 million American men and women have died in military service since the Civil War began in 1861.
- The US Civil War is still the war with the largest American dead, as both sides are counted. The exact number is uncertain, but it is listed as at least over 500,000.
- World War I had 116,516 dead.
- World War II had 405,399 dead
- The Korean War had 54,246 dead
- The Vietnam War had 58,220 dead
- The first Gulf War had 383 in-theatre deaths
- Post 9/11 deaths of over 7,000 include operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Libya, the Arabian peninsula, the Horn of Africa, and other locations around the globe.
It is also important to remember that the War on Terror has not ended, Operation Inherent Resolve is still ongoing in Iraq and Syria, with over 100 deaths, 3 of them from Colorado – Navy Petty Officer Third Class Devon Doyle, Air Force Captain William Dubois Jr., and Marine Corps. Gunnery Sergeant Scott Koppenhafer (see below).
Our first remembrance for today is American Legion Post 1187’s own namesake, Master Sergeant Harry C. Miller.
Master Sergeant Miller, assigned to the 58th Bombardment Wing, 40th Bombardment Group, 45th Bombardment Squadron, was a flight engineer on a B-29 Super fortress during World War II.
On October 25, 1944, Miller’s B-29 “The Heavenly Body” was hit by antiaircraft fire over Omura, Japan. Fragments from the exploding anti-aircraft shell mortally wounded Miller.
Master Sergeant Harry C. Miller was buried in Fort Logan National Cemetery. Miller was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Air Medal, and the Purple Heart. (Read more)
Gunnery Sgt. Scott A. Koppenhafer, of Mancos, Colorado, enlisted in 2005 and served 10 years with Special Operations Command. He had completed three previous deployments, including to Afghanistan, as a Marine Raider and was named the critical skills operator of 2018 by the command. He earned two Bronze Stars along with many other commendations.
Gunny Koppenhafer was assigned to the 2nd Marine Raider Battalion, Marine Forces Special Operations Command, Camp Lejeune, N.C. He was supporting Operation Inherent Resolve along with Iraqi security forces in Iraq’s Nineveh province in the country’s north when he was struck by enemy small arms fire in combat, according to an earlier statement from U.S. Central Command. (Read more)
Navy Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Luke Milam was with the 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion, based out of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He was killed on September 25th 2007, while conducting combat operations in the Helmand Province, Afghanistan.
Charles, who was known as Luke, was a 1999 graduate of Columbine High School. Luke joined the Navy 2 months after the Columbine school shooting. His brother Keith believes the tragedy at Columbine inspired Luke to join the military and treat his fellow service members. Luke served three tours in Iraq and his final tour in Afghanistan.
Lance Corporal Ralph Daniel Bobian of Denver, Colorado was remembered as “a gentle soul and a good guy” by his fellow Marines from bootcamp.
Lance Corporal Bobian was assigned to D Co, 1st Bn, 7th Marine Regiment in Quang Nam, Vietnam when he was he was mortally wounded by enemy machine-gun fire while providing suppressive fire to protect his wounded comrades.
He was posthumously awarded a Silver Star for the bravery of his actions (read his citation) and is buried at Fort Logan Cemetery.
You can read more stories about our Honored Dead at the following sources:
- Colorado Fallen from recent conflicts are listed on the The Colorado Fallen Heroes Memorial website.
- Stories of those who died in WWII are chronicled on the Stories Behind the Stars website.
- Together We Served has an Honor Roll of the Fallen organized by service.
- The Virtual Wall has Vietnam War casualties listed by state.
- The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund has a searchable Wall of Faces.
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