(June 23, 2008, New Orleans, La.) - Allan R. Millett, The University of New Orleans Stephen E. Ambrose Professor of History and director of the UNO Eisenhower Center for American Studies, has been selected to receive the 2008 Pritzker Military Library Literature Award for Lifetime Achievement in Military Writing.

 The $100,000 honorarium, citation and medallion, sponsored by the Chicago-based Tawani Foundation, will be presented at the library's annual Liberty Gala on October 4 at Chicago's Drake Hotel. The announcement was made today via Internet webcast by Col. James N. Pritzker (Retired), the library's president and founder, at www.pritzkermilitarylibrary.org.

The Pritzker Military Library Literature Award is presented to a living author for a body of work that enriched the public understanding of American military history.

"The selection committee has honored an individual whose life's work in the area of understanding and writing about military history is at the highest scholarly level," Pritzker said. "Allan Millett's written work, teaching and other pursuits have educated and informed us all in a most profound way. In creating this premiere annual award to recognize one author's lifetime commitment to scholarly writing on military topics we ultimately hope to contribute to a better understanding of the horrible complexities of war, past, present and future."

"I am delighted to learn that Allan Millett has been awarded such a coveted prize," said Susan E. Krantz, dean of the UNO College of Liberal Arts. "He richly deserves this honor. His published contributions to the field of military history are indeed profound in their depth and breadth. The University of New Orleans is extremely proud to have him as the Stephen E. Ambrose Professor of History and director of the Eisenhower Center for American Studies."

Millett, a specialist in the history of America's military policy, 20th century wars and military institutions, has in the past decade also become a specialist of international renown on the history of the Korean War. He began his work on the war as a Fulbright Distinguished Professor at Korean National Defense University in 1991, and in 1996 was a Fellow of the Korea Foundation.

He is the author of: "Semper Fidelis: The History of the United States Marine Corps," "The Politics of Intervention: The Military Occupation of Cuba, 1906-1909," "The General: Robert L. Bullard and Officership in the United States Army" and "In Many a Strife: General Gerald C. Thomas and the U.S. Marine Corps." Millett is the co-author of "For the Common Defense" and "A War to BE Won: Fighting the Second World War" His work on the Korean War includes the books "Their War for Korea" and "A House Burning: The War for Korea."

Four of Millett's books are on the required reading list for officers of the U.S. Armed Services. Millett has also contributed original essays to 15 books. He has written more than 30 articles for such publications as International Security, The Americas, Armed Forces and Society, Strategic Review, Journal of Strategic Studies and Military History Quarterly.

Millett is a colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and served 12 years in reserve infantry units, including commanding an infantry battalion for which he was awarded the Legion of Merit in 1989.

Millett was nominated for the honor by two of his publishers, the University Press of Kansas and Harvard University Press.

"The Tawani Foundation and the Pritzker Mililtary Library honor me with the second annual Pritzker Award for lifetime achievement in military history scholarship," Millett said. "The award is especially satisfying since it is decided by a group of distinguished historians."

Johanna M. Schindler

Director of Public Relations

(504) 280-6939

fax (504) 280-1080

jschindl@uno.edu