THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, September 9, 1994 TAG: 9409090543
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Short : 38 lines
NATO's Defense Planning Committee has agreed to release Adm. Paul David Miller from his responsibilities as Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic, following a request from President Clinton that Miller be allowed to retire.
``The DPC agreed to his request with great regret and expressed its deep and lasting gratitude to Adm. Miller for his distinguished service,'' said a statement released in Brussels, Belgium, this week.
The committee also asked Clinton to formally nominate a successor to Miller.
Miller, 52, also serves as commander-in-chief of the U.S. Atlantic Command. Both commands are based in Norfolk. He requested retirement earlier this summer after nearly 30 years of service and has indicated he would like to leave the Navy by the end of this year.
The 16-nation members of NATO must approve such nominations. The U.S. Senate also must approve his release from the Atlantic Command post.
Marine Corps Lt. Gen. John J. Sheehan, 54, operations director with the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is expected to replace Miller.
Sheehan served with Miller between 1991 and 1993 as director of plans and policy with the Atlantic Command.
Defense Secretary William J. Perry is said to have informally nominated Sheehan for promotion to four-star rank and reassignment to Miller's command. An official announcement has not been made. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Miller
by CNB