Barack Obama awards posthumous Medal of Honor to Staff Sgt. Robert J. Miller Oct 6 2010.

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U.S. President Barack Obama bestowed the U.S. military's highest award to the family of Special Forces soldier, Staff Sgt. Robert J. Miller, on Wednesday (October 6).

Miller has been attributed with saving the lives of seven of his Special Forces teammates and 15 Afghan soldiers while serving as the point for a night security patrol in Afghanistan, according to the U.S. military's website.

"Devotion to duty. An abiding sense of honor. A profound love of country. These were the virtues that found their ultimate expression when Rob -- just 24 years old and on his second tour -- met his testing point on January 25, 2008," Obama said of Miller.

During an insurgent ambush, Miller volunteered to lead his team of Green Berets after their captain was injured during a firefight in the Chenar Khar Balley near the Pakistan border.

A good athlete and former gymnast, Miller worked to provide cover for his teammates. As his teammates moved away from the fire, Miller moved forward, firing, throwing grenades and radioing for help, according to the military's website.

Miller, who was on his second deployment to Afghanistan, had learned some Pashto during his first deployment and could also give directions to the Afghan soldiers during the fight.

His teammates could hear Miller giving the position of the enemy over the radio until he was hit and mortally wounded during the firefight.

"One of his teammates surely spoke for all of them when he said of Rob, 'I would not be alive today if not for his ultimate sacrifice,'" Obama said. "This is the valor that America honors today."

During the East Room ceremony in the White House, Obama presented Miller's parents, Phil and Maureen Miller, with their son's posthumous medal.

"Phil and Maureen, you raised a remarkable son. Today and in the years to come, may you find some comfort in knowing that Rob gave his life doing what he loved -- protecting his friends and defending his country. You gave your oldest son to America, and America is forever in your debt," Obama said.

Several members of Miller's team as well as Miller's seven brothers and sisters also attended the Medal of Honor ceremony on Wednesday.

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• 2010

[TonyN737]

I hope he killed 1,000 taliban before he died. My 4 y/o daughter knows this name, Robert Miller.

[divineflame54]

rest in peace american hero.may god give you perfect peace in the kingdom of heaven

[MrJohntheButler]

"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:

Age shall not weary them, nor the years contemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them."

Laurence Binyon, For The Fallen

These are the MEN I look up to and aspire to be like. May you rest in peace and know you're never forgotten.

[rswimmer01]

@WulfBlitzkrieg

you fuckin' pussy, I hope someone ties your windpipe into a bowtie

[313tigers]

respect

[rob81672]

@divineflame54 100% agreed

[crazyguy705]

he is a true hero his sacrifice will not be forgotten..

[77NavySEAL77]

how could any one have the nerve to ever dislike this video, with out men such as these men america would never be the america we know and love today

[TRZbebop675]

@VinnyS914 Dude just leave your politics at the door. Obama is still the democratically - elected President, thus he is the Commander - in - Chief.

[Ceaaa22]

@anteracmacash Well said.