Captain, USS WISCONSIN  9/1/56-3/8/58

Miner was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on 12 June 1910. He entered the US Naval Academy in June 1927 and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree as Ensign on 4 June 1931. After graduation from the Academy, he was assigned to the battleship MARYLAND where he served for two years. In subsequent tours of duty prior to World War II he served on destroyers, cruisers and the old battleship UTAH, the USS MINNEAPOLIS, USS CUSHING, and was Executive Officer on the USS MEADE. He placed the destroyer TINGEY in commission and assumed his first command on that ship in December 1943. Commanding her for twelve months, Captain Miner and the TINGEY participated in Pacific Theatre operations with the Third and Fifth Fleets. Among his decorations are a letter of commendation for “meritorious conduct while commandant the TINGEY in the Pacific”. He was also awarded the Silver Star Medal for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as commanding officer of that same destroyer during action against enemy Japanese forces in the Pacific War area. From January 1946 to January 1954 Captain Miner performed various duties both ashore and afloat. Before boarding the WISCONSIN on 1 September 1956 he served as a US Naval Attache in Rome Italy, where he received the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic. In addition to the Silver Star Medal and the Commendation Ribbon, Captain Miner had the American Defense Service Medal with a star, the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with five engagement stars, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon, the World War II Victory Medal, the China Service Medal, Navy Occupation Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal and the United Nations Service Medal.