Ed Miller was born in 1940 in New York City. He enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve on February 6, 1962, and entered the Aviation Cadet Program of the U.S. Navy on September 9, 1964. He was commissioned an Ensign and designated a Naval Aviator in June 1966, and then attended F-8 Crusader Fleet Replacement Pilot training with VF-124 at NAS Miramar, California. His first assignment was as an RF-8 pilot with VFP-63 at NAS Miramar and deployed aboard the aircraft carrier USS Hancock (CVA-19) from April to June 1967, and aboard the aircraft carrier USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31) from February 1968 until he was forced to eject over North Vietnam and was taken as a Prisoner of War on May 22, 1968. After spending 1,758 days in captivity, LT Miller was released during Operation Homecoming on March 14, 1973. He was briefly hospitalized to recover from his injuries, and then served on the staff of the Commander, Fleet Airborne Early Warning Wing, Pacific, at NAS Miramar until he left active duty on November 15, 1974.

His Legion of Merit w/Valor Citation reads:

For exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from May 1968 to March 1973. Under the most adverse of conditions, he resisted all attempts by the North Vietnamese to use him in causes detrimental to the United States, never wavering in his devotion and loyalty to the United States and his fellow prisoners. Despite the adversities of confinement, he performed such duties and responsibilities as assigned by superiors and required of the Code of Conduct in an exemplary and highly professional manner. Displaying extraordinary courage, resourcefulness, and dedication throughout this period of imprisonment, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces.

The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.