USS Milius
About USS Milius (DDG 69)
USS Milius (DDG 69) At Sea
"Alii Prae Me"
Keel Laid - August 1993
Commissioned - November 23, 1996; Location: Pascagoula, MS
The USS Milius is an ARLEIGH BURKE-class Aegis guided missile destroyer that provides multi-mission offensive and defensive capabilities in support of the Nation’s maritime security strategy. MILIUS can operate independently or as part of aircraft carrier strike groups, surface action groups, expeditionary strike groups, and underway replenishment . 
USS Milius SM2 Shot

Capt Milius PosterName Sake

USS MILIUS (DDG 69) is named in honor of NAVY pilot Captain Paul L. Milius (1928-1968). On February 27, 1968 Captain (then Commander) Milius was piloting an OP-2E observation aircraft on an armed reconnaissance mission over Laos.

While conducting his mission, the aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft artillery fire. Commander Milius elected to remain at the controls of his badly damaged aircraft, maintaining stable flight, and ordered his seven crew members to bail out, all of whom were rescued. Just before the aircraft crashed, Commander Milius is believed to have bailed out, but rescuers were unable to locate him. Captain Milius was declared Missing In Action (MIA). On April 26, 1978, his status was revised to Presumed Killed In Action (PKIA). He was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross.

 

 Milius and Ensign
 Mission
USS MILIUS (DDG 69) is an ARLEIGH BURKE-class Aegis guided missile destroyer that provides multi- mission offensive and defensive capabilities in support of the Nation’s maritime security strategy. MILIUS can operate independently or as part of aircraft carrier strike groups, surface action groups, expeditionary strike groups, and underway replenishment groups.
Strike Warfare: Delivering Tomahawk Land Attack Cruise Missiles to targets ashore.
Air Defense: Defending other naval units and costal areas against air and ballistic missile
threats through the use of the Aegis Weapon System, SPY Radar, and Surface to Air
Missiles.

Surface Defense:Defending other naval units against surface vessels threats, both large
warships and small boats, through the use of Harpoon cruise missiles and 5 inch guns.
Submarine Defense: Defending other naval units from enemy submarines through the use of
the hull mounted and towed array sonars, and torpedoes.
Maritime Interception Operations: Querying and boarding vessels on the high sea in the
search for terrorists and contraband.
Forward Presence: Showing the flag and our maritime capability overseas to demonstrate
national interest and resolve.
Ballistic Missile Defense:  MILIUS is capable of providing regional and homeland defense through her ability to detect, track, and engage ballistic missiles.

Explanation of the Symbolism of Ship's Crest and Shield
Milius Crest The ship’s crest is designed in remembrance of the military service of the ship’s namesake, Captain Paul Lloyd Milius, and the courage and dedication that promoted his selfless act of heroism.  
Dark blue and gold are colors traditionally used by the Navy and denote the sea and excellence. The shield itself reflects the power of the Aegis shield. The double-edged battle-ax symbolizes the power of the modern guided missile destroyer. The battle-ax harnesses is a warning that peace should be maintained; provoked and unleashed, the battle-ax is a punishing offensive weapon capable of delivering crushing blows.  The trident reflects the prowess of MILIUS, capable of projecting sea power on the land, in the air, and on and beneath the sea.  The crossed swords are the modern Navy sword of today and the cutlass of the John Paul Jones era symbolizing the enduring tradition and heritage of the United States Navy.  The border, for unity, is red highlighting readiness for action and sacrifice, if necessary.  The seven bolts on the border represent the seven lives saved by Captain Milius’ heroic action. 
The lion suggests Captain Milius’ extraordinary heroism as the aircraft commander in Observation Squadron Sixty-Seven for which he received the Navy Cross, represented by the cross plate, and underscored his selfless courage and inspiring devotion to duty. 
ALii Prae Me, or “Others Before Myself,” was chosen to reflect the personal ethic held throughout Captain Milius’ military career and his selfless act under fire.  

 Previous Commanding Officers
Milius Man's The Rails

 COMMANDER DAINE E. EISOLD
November 23, 1996 – February 27, 1998

COMMANDER JAMES McMANAMON
February 27, 1998 – October 29, 1999

COMMANDER THOMAS S. ROWDEN
October 29, 1999 – May 11, 2001

COMMANDER JEFFREY A. HARLEY
May 11, 2001 – April 15, 2003

COMMANDER JOHN S. MITCHELL III
April 15, 2003 – May 12, 2005

COMMANDER DAVID J. SHERIDAN
May 12, 2005 – Nov 7, 2006

COMMANDER EDMUND B. HERNANDEZ
Nov 7, 2006 – May 30,  2008

COMMANDER KENDALL GENNICK
MAY 30, 2008 – November 5, 2009

COMMANDER TREVOR KING
November 5, 2009 - April 14, 2011

COMMANDER NICHOLIE BUFKIN
April 14, 2011 - November  1, 2012

COMMANDER STEPHEN SHEDD
 November  1, 2012 - Present
 
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