The Claymore Incident

At some point during Marvin Miller's tour — most likely while he held the rank of E-4 (Specialist), prior to his promotion to E-5 on August 4, 1971 — his squad was assigned a rotation of duties that included carrying the unit's claymore mines. Each night in the field, the claymores were set out around the squad's perimeter as a defensive measure; the soldier tasked with them was responsible for carrying them throughout the day's movement.

The full load of claymores, based on Larry Cate's description, weighed approximately 75–80 pounds — carried on top of Marvin's standard combat load of weapon, ammunition, water, rations, and personal gear. Marvin Miller stood approximately 5'6" and weighed no more than 140 pounds.

After several days of watching Marvin carry this load, Larry Cate and some of the other soldiers in the squad made a decision: they would get rid of the claymores by the only means available to them. In the middle of the night, they deliberately triggered the mines, claiming they had seen movement on the perimeter.

The blast woke Captain Neal, who was in the field with the unit. He shook his RTO awake to find out what had happened. By Neal's own account, he was irritated — he suspected it was nothing — but followed all required protocols in response to the reported contact.

The mines were expended. Marvin was no longer assigned to carry them.

When Marvin's son told Neal the truth of the incident in 2025 — more than fifty years later — Neal was not surprised. He said he had always suspected the incident was not what it had been reported as, but had never had proof. He accepted the news with equanimity.