Col. Craig (CV) Vernon Miller, USAF, Ret.

CV was born in Belle Plaine, Iowa, but moved to Humboldt, Iowa at an early age.  He was valedictorian for his high school class of 1954. His plans were to get a degree in civil engineering and join his dad in the family business.

While attending Iowa State he was asked if he was interested in attending a new school that was being started in Colorado - The United States Air Force Academy.  His reply was "What do I have to loose".  He was one of four young men from the state of Iowa to receive an appointment to the Air Force Academy.  He was a proud member of the first class to graduate - the class of 1959. 

Regulations stated that cadets could not have cars.  CV checked and found there was no regulation prohibiting cadets from having airplanes. He and a fellow cadet acquired an airplane.  He received his private pilot’s license in 1957.

His first assignment after pilot training was in the F-86.  This plane had no two seat version and no simulator.  After classroom instruction the pilots taxied the plane and took off.  Thus, CV’s life as a fighter pilot began.

In 1961 he volunteered to live in a space cabin simulator.  This was to see how that type of environment affected humans.  Vice President Lyndon Johnson was there to greet him when he emerged from the simulator.

After receiving his masters degree from the University of California at Berkley he taught at the Air Force Academy.

During the Vietnam war he served as an A-1E Sky Raider pilot in the Sandy rescue mission.  

He felt this was one of the most important missions of the war.  The Sandy mission was to locate the downed aircrew and keep the enemy at bay until the rescue helicopters could make the pickup.  He flew 77 combat rescue missions, during which he earned the Distinguished Flying Cross and 6 Air Medals.  In addition to flying the A-1E Sky Raider in combat during his flying career, he also flew the T-33, the F-86, the F-102, and the F-100.  While flying the F-100 he earned the Barry Goldwater Top Gun Award.  

When his flying career ended he was aide to the head of Systems Command, Deputy Director for AMRAAM, Director for JP 233 (a joint US/British program) in London, and Director of Surface Attack.

After retiring in 1986, CV enjoyed golfing, traveling and flying his Cherokee 140.  This plane had been his dad’s and was in the family for fifty years.  He also was active in the Experimental Aircraft Association, the Daedalians, and the United Flying Octogenarians (UFOs).  To be a UFO you have to be in your 80's and be able to fly solo.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Fern and Vernon, and son Scott. He is survived by his wife Sandy, daughter Linné (Joe) Weinberger, and daughter in law Stephanie Miller. Craig is also survived by grandchildren Scott Andrew, Samuel Miller, Dr. Sarah (Chris) Miller McMaster and Heidi, Shane Weinberger.

CV was the perfect husband and father.

He was an amazing man.

He had a wonderful life.

Services will be held at the Air Force Academy on June 3rd at 2:00pm.

In lieu of flowers or memorial items, please consider donating to the National Marrow Donor Program's Be The Match Foundation at https://bethematch.org/. 

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