Captain Edward F. Miles, Jr. was commissioned an Armor Officer upon graduation from Armor Officer Candidate School Class 6-67, Company A2, 16 February 1967 at Fort Knox, Kentucky. His first duty assignment was as a Tank Platoon Leader with B Company, 2nd Battalion, 70th Armor Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, Augsburg, Germany. | His subsequent assignments with 2nd Battalion, 70th Armor include: Mortar Platoon Leader and C Company Commander United States Army Europe, and C Company Commander, Fort Riley, Kansas; Student Officer, Military Assistance Training Advisor Course, Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Operations Training Advisor, Special Detachment 5891, III Corps U.S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam. | His military education includes the Armor Officer Candidate Course, Air Ground Course, Aircraft Loaders Course, United States Army Special Warfare School. | He was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action, and the Purple Heart on 26 April 1969 while serving as Operations Advisor, Trang Bang District, Vietnam. During a Search and Clear operation, the point man of the lead company was wounded by a booby-trapped mortar round. With disregard for his personal safety, he entered the mined area to aid the wounded soldier when no one else would. Captain Miles triggered a concealed booby trap and was severely wounded in both legs. Despite his critical condition, he continued to urge the rescue of the wounded soldier. As a direct result of his display of battlefield courage, the wounded soldier was successfully evacuated by his fellow soldiers. Captain Miles’ wounds resulted in the amputation of both legs above the knee, the loss of his right eye and the loss of use of his right arm. He was medically retired in July 1970. | His involvement as the Associate Director of the Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation (VVAF), and with the International Campaign to Ban Land Mines resulted in the shared Nobel Peace Prize in 1997 for the advocacy to eliminate the use of landmines. Through the pioneering efforts of CPT Miles the VVAF has established rehabilitation clinics in Cambodia, Vietnam, Angola, Ethiopia, Kosovo, Central America and Sub-Saharan Africa. It was determined that Captain Miles death on 26 January 2004 was the result of the wounds sustained on 26 April 1969, and his name was added to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on Panel W26, Line 55.