Miller J. Tonkel papers, 1939-1997 | Purdue University Libraries, Archives and Special Collections

Miller J. Tonkel was born August 14, 1919 in Fort Wayne, Indiana.  He attended Purdue University from 1938 to 1942. While at Purdue, he was a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers. Tonkel graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering.

Tonkel was commissioned into the Coast and Geodetic Survey Corps in 1943.  Tonkel's postgraduate education included special oceanographic studies at the University of Washington, graduation from the Armed Forces Staff College and the Federal Executive Institute at Charlottesville, Virginia, and participation in the Brookings Institutions' Advanced Study Program Conference for Federal Science Executives.  In the United States military, Captain Tonkel served with hydrographic and oceanographic operations in waters off the North American continent and in the North Pacific, including the first systematized oceanographic survey of the north central Pacific and underwater atomic tests in the Pacific. Tonkel also held commands in the Gulf of Mexico, Pacific, and Alaskan areas. During World War II, Tonkel served as Regimental Survey Officer with the 11th Marine Artillery, 1st Marine Division in Okinawa, Tientsin, China, and Guam from 1945 to 1947. Awards for his service included the Bronze Star, the Department of Commerce Bronze Medal, the Society of American Military Engineers KARO Award, and the Victory Medal.  Tonkel retired from the military on February 27, 1977 after more than 34 years of service.  Miller J. Tonkel died on July 16, 2003 in Anderson, South Carolina.