State Representative Amy Elik and State Senator Erica Harriss are hosting a Road Naming Dedication Ceremony for the “Cpl. Tommy N. Miller Memorial Highway”. After years of effort, Senator Harriss and Representative Elik were able to adopt House Joint Resolution 6, which designates Illinois Route 140 as it travels through Meadowbrook as the “Cpl. Tommy N. Miller Memorial Highway”.
The Ceremony will highlight Cpl. Miller’s heroic actions and unveil the highway signs that will stand along Route 140. The event is free to attend and open to the public.
Date: Saturday, July 25, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM
Location: Zion Lutheran Church, 625 Church Drive, Bethalto
Cpl. Tommy Neal Miller was born on July 19, 1949 and was raised in Meadowbrook near Bethalto in Madison County. Cpl. Miller enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served during the Vietnam War; he began his tour of duty on June 10, 1968. His military specialty was mortarman, and he was attached to Echo Company, Second Battalion, Fourth Marines, Third Marine Division.
While serving as a radio operator on the morning of February 25, 1969 at Fire Support Base Russell in Quang Tri Province in South Vietnam, under assault by a large North Vietnamese Army sappers unit, Cpl. Miller unhesitatingly maneuvered across the fire-swept terrain in search of an undamaged radio; after locating operable equipment, he again exposed himself to hostile fire to assist the commanding officer with restoring communications; he then went to the aid of his fellow Marines to free them from entrapment in debris. As Cpl. Miller attempted to free his comrades, he was mortally wounded by fragments from an enemy grenade.
Cpl. Miller’s heroic and timely actions inspired all who observed him and contributed greatly to repelling the enemy’s assault. Cpl. Miller’s commendations include the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V”, the Purple Heart, the Combat Action Ribbon, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Marine Corps Presidential Unit Citation, the Vietnam Gallantry Cross, the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, and the Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal.
Cpl. Miller is honored on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC; his name is inscribed at VVM Wall, Panel 31w, Line 53. Like so many who gave the ultimate sacrifice and gave up many years of their lives, Cpl. Miller will forever be 19.
