Robert Mills, man of destiny

The Poplar Bluff Museum has tales about us, our family and our history. I want to tell you some of those tales found within the museum walls.

“Blackdeath 23, you are cleared to engage” the Commander said over the radio.

“This is Blackdeath 23, missile away!” Army Warrant Officer Robert Mills pulled the trigger. The Hellfire missile screamed off the weapons pylon of his Kiowa Warrior helicopter. Six seconds later the building and all the enemy personnel inside were gone.

Poplar Bluff native Robert Mills was a man of destiny. At 28 years old he decided to fly helicopters. He joined the Army to become a pilot. While he was being sworn in, the World Trade Center was attacked. It was September 11th. Robert graduated flight school 18 months later. While receiving his Army Aviator wings the invasion of Iraq began. The date was March 19, 2003. He was destined to pull that trigger. Robert reported to an Air Cavalry unit that was already engaged in combat. He served two combat tours in Iraq. His call sign was “Blackdeath 23.”

After eight years, Robert left the Army. Being the hero he was, Robert began saving lives by flying EMS helicopters. He wrote a book about his combat tours titled “Blackdeath 23.” Robert’s biography as told by David Silverburg in the Daily American Republic, along with his book, are on display in the “War on Terror” exhibit of the Kanell Hall Veterans Room in the Poplar Bluff Museum. The Museum is open every Sunday free of charge from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at 1010 Main Street, Poplar Bluff (Formerly the Old Mark Twain School). Tell them Mike sent you!

Mike Shane is a veteran, Poplar Bluff resident and board member for the Poplar Bluff Museum.