★★★ Memorial Monday ★★★
LT Bret Miller, USN '01 was lost on October 28, 2009 when the training aircraft he was piloting crashed into the Gulf of Mexico.
His obituary reads:
He was born the son of Rick & Judy (Neumann) Miller, the youngest of three children. Bret grew up in East Troy. He graduated from East Troy High School with the class of 1997. He was well known for his academic and athletic achievements. He was a National Honor Society Scholar as well as the school's all-time leading scorer in basketball. Bret was a four time varsity letter winner in golf and basketball and graduated with high honors. Bret earned an appointment to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD, where he graduated with the class of 2001. He continued to play basketball and earned a bachelor of science degree in ocean engineering. Upon graduation from USNA in 2001, Bret discovered his love of naval aviation. He attended primary flight training at VT-28, followed by advanced multi-engine training at VT-31, where he earned his Wings of Gold. Following additional training at the [fleet replacement squadron], he reported to the War Eagles of VP-16 for his fleet tour. Bret earned qualifications as patrol plane commander, [functional check flight] pilot, mission commander and instructor pilot and successfully completed two deployments. Bret was a leader and a professional in every sense. He essentially held every qualification in the T-34.
Bret married the true love of his life, Brianne M. Voss, on Oct. 8, 2005, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Elkhorn, WI. While serving in Jacksonville, FL, they welcomed their first son, Chase, in February 2007, and patiently awaiting the arrival of their second son in March 2010. Bret was a devoted husband, father, son, brother and friend. He is survived by his wife, Brianne; son, Chase; parents, Rick and Judy Miller of East Troy, WI; mother-in-law, Twila Voss of Elkhorn, WI; a sister, Tara (Gary) Grocholski of North Prairie, WI; a brother, Chad (Laura) Miller of Watertown, WI; two nieces, Hailey and Grace Grocholski; a nephew, Noah Miller; a brother-in-law, Braidon Voss of Elkhorn, WI; two sisters-in-law, Brittney Voss of Menomonie, WI and Brooke Voss of Elkhorn; grandparents, Elaine (Alex) Gamez of Pewaukee, WI and Shirley Williams Bohrman of Oconomowoc, WI. Bret was preceded in death by his father-in-law, David Voss; grandparents, Harold Neuman, Harry "Ozzie" (Shirley) Miller and Jack "Buck" Bohrman.
Bret and the other officer aboard, LT Joe Houston '02, were members of Training Squadron (VT) 27.
To Honor! ⚓
https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/BRET_T._MILLER,_LT,_USN