SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois State Senate has joined the Illinois House of Representatives in adopting HJR 6 on Thursday to designate Illinois Route 140 as it travels through Meadowbrook as the ‘Cpl. Tommy N. Miller Memorial Highway’. The resolution was sponsored in the House by State Representative Amy Elik (R-Alton) and in the Senate by State Senator Erica Harriss (R-Glen Carbon).
“We have been working to get this road-naming resolution passed for five years now,” said Rep. Elik. “The legislative process has slowed this down, but I am thrilled to finally be able to officially designate a portion of Route 140 in Tommy Miller’s honor. Corporal Tommy Miller gave his life in service to our country and there is no doubt that this true American hero deserves this recognition.”
“It’s an honor to pass this resolution in the Senate, honoring the life of Corporal Miller,” said Senator Harriss. “He was just 19 years old when he sacrificed it all for our country. Naming this highway in his memory is one small way we can make sure his service is never forgotten and that his story continues to be told.”
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.
“Vietnam is considered ancient history to most, but for the remaining veterans and the families of those that gave their all, it feels like yesterday,” said Cpl. Miller’s brother Kevin Miller. “It’s been 57 years since my family’s loss, and I still have blurry eyed moments. My brother’s name on that short section of road isn’t just for him – it represents all of them.”
HJR 6 sponsored by Rep. Elik and Sen. Harriss was adopted by the House of Representatives on May 28th, 2025 and was adopted in the Senate on April 16, 2026. The Illinois Department of Transportation is now directed to erect appropriate plaques or signs giving notice of the name ‘Cpl. Tommy N. Miller Memorial Highway’. A dedication ceremony will be planned for a later date.
