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thedrifter
02-11-06, 09:19 AM
Marine killed in Iraq given Bronze Star
Miles honored for the heroic actions that led to his death; his parents receive his citation
BY MEREDITH BONNY
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER
Saturday, February 11, 2006

Medals never meant much to Marine Corps Sgt. Sean H. Miles.

But with their son killed in action, medals and memories are all Chesterfield County residents Debbie and Michael Miles have left.

On Tuesday, before Sean Miles was interred in his wife's hometown of San Antonio, he was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star for Valor accompanied by a citation noting the heroic actions that led to his death.

"Sean never thought about it . . . . He was a Marine. He did what Marines do. To him he was just doing his job," Michael Miles in an interview this week from his home.

Sean Miles, a 28-year-old platoon sergeant with the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, was killed in action Jan. 24 in the Iraqi town of Karmah, about 50 miles west of Baghdad.

He was due to return home to his wife, Genevieve, and 2½-year-old son, Tyler Regi, in less than two weeks, ending what would have been a seven-month tour of duty.

Miles joined the Marines in 1996 after graduating from Clover Hill High School. He died pulling a fellow Marine to safety -- an act of courage that was mentioned, among others, in the award citation.

The citation was given to Miles' parents and signed by Lt. Gen. John F. Sattler, commanding general of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force.

"Sergeant Miles reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and United States Naval Service," the citation reads, adding that Miles participated in more than 200 combat missions during his time in Iraq.

Michael Miles said he plans to place the Bronze Star, the citation and the flag he received at his son's funeral in a place of honor in the family's home.

"It was important to us," he said of the medal and citation. "It was important to us for our son to be recognized by the Marine Corps for the Marine that he was."

Contact staff writer Meredith Bonny at mbonny@timesdispatch.com or (804) 649-6452.

Ellie