Born in Fort Worth, Robert Perry Mills Jr. (1941–1967) graduated from Arlington High School in 1959. After completing his studies at Arlington State College (now UTA), Perry later graduated from the University of Texas School of Dentistry in Houston, becoming a practicing dentist.

When duty called, he answered. About 350 U.S. Navy dentists served in the Vietnam War, alongside other medical personnel. As a commissioned Lieutenant in the Dental Corps of the U.S. Navy, Dr. Mills volunteered for Vietnam duty, arriving in August 1967 to serve in a field hospital.

Tragically, Lieutenant Mills was mortally wounded a short time later, on November 2. He was the first Navy dental officer killed in action in Vietnam. He is buried at Moore Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Arlington. His decorations included the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, and National Defense Service Medal, among others. We remember his service with gratitude.

In 1998, the Robert Perry Mills Medical and Dental Clinic at NAS JRB in Fort Worth was named in his honor. Inside the clinic, a dedicated display features informative and memorial plaques detailing his legacy. Dr. Mills is also honored with a scholarship at UTA.

Perry Mills Memorial at NAS JRB in Fort Worth, Texas
Photo Credit: Richard Aghamalian

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Blog post by Jason S. Sullivan, 08-23-26