MEADOWBROOK - State Rep. Amy Elik and state Sen. Erica Harriss will host a road naming dedication ceremony July 25, 2026, in Bethalto to honor Cpl. Tommy N. Miller, the Vietnam War Marine for whom a stretch of Illinois Route 140 through Meadowbrook has been designated the “Cpl. Tommy N. Miller Memorial Highway.”
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The free public ceremony is scheduled for 10 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, 625 Church Drive, Bethalto. Organizers said the event will highlight Miller’s actions during the Vietnam War and include the unveiling of highway signs that will stand along Route 140.
According to the announcement, Harriss and Elik secured adoption of House Joint Resolution 6 after years of effort, designating Illinois Route 140 as it travels through Meadowbrook as the “Cpl. Tommy N. Miller Memorial Highway.”
Miller was born July 19, 1949, and was raised in Meadowbrook near Bethalto in Madison County. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and served during the Vietnam War, beginning his tour of duty June 10, 1968. His military specialty was mortarman, and he was attached to Echo Company, Second Battalion, Fourth Marines, Third Marine Division.
On the morning of Feb. 25, 1969, while serving as a radio operator at Fire Support Base Russell in Quang Tri Province, South Vietnam, Miller was under assault by what the announcement described as a large North Vietnamese Army sappers unit. The announcement said he maneuvered across fire-swept terrain in search of an undamaged radio and, after locating operable equipment, again exposed himself to hostile fire to assist the commanding officer in restoring communications. He then went to help fellow Marines trapped in debris and was mortally wounded by fragments from an enemy grenade as he attempted to free them.
The announcement said Miller’s actions “inspired all who observed him” and contributed to repelling the assault.
His 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.
Miller is also honored on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington. His name is inscribed on Panel 31W, Line 53.
