OVA
Description
Taylor Henry Miles, known as Dutch, serves as an Orbital Drop Shock Trooper (ODST) in the UNSC Marine Corps. Born in 2519 in Losantiville, Seven Hills, Mars, he previously worked as a road-train driver before enlisting on September 9, 2540, eventually rising to the rank of Corporal. His civilian driving experience directly supported his military role as a heavy weapons specialist and vehicle operator. Dutch is married to former ODST Gretchen Ketola; her severe injury from an Insurrectionist mine significantly altered his demeanor, making him more serious. As the second oldest member of Alpha-Nine, he maintains a close friendship with the squad's marksman, Romeo. Dutch possesses extensive experience in close-quarters combat, having participated in conflicts including the Battle of Ariel, Battle of Tribute, Battle of Reach, and Battle of Earth.
His military background includes operations within the Coral asteroid belt and at the Jericho Space Elevator. On an assassination mission to the Covenant-controlled world of Heian, he served under Master Sergeant Cortez alongside Spartan Cal-141. Dutch initially displayed typical ODST skepticism toward Spartans, but the mission shifted his perspective. He witnessed Cal save fellow ODST O'Brien multiple times: lifting his submerged drop pod from a swamp and intervening during a Brute Chieftain's attack. Cal intercepted a gravity hammer strike meant for O'Brien, sustaining fatal injuries. After Dutch helped kill the Chieftain by shooting it in the face, the dying Cal urged O'Brien to complete the Prophet assassination. Her sacrifice and the revelation of her gender beneath the helmet profoundly impacted Dutch, fostering deep respect for Spartans. This change was evident when he later defended Cal's honor against mockery from another marine aboard the UNSC *Kronstadt*.
In later deployments, Dutch's combat role emphasized heavy weapons proficiency, notably with the M6 Spartan Laser, as observed by his squad leader Edward Buck. During the Battle of Earth in 2552, as part of Alpha-Nine led by Buck and deployed aboard the UNSC *Say My Name*, his drop pod landed in New Mombasa's Uplift Nature Reserve after an EMP disrupted the insertion. There, he aided Marine forces against Covenant armor, securing Warthogs and supporting embattled platoons, learning of the mission to secure a Tier One asset named Vergil. Dutch later defended a Marine rally point entrance before reuniting with his squad.
Dutch's experiences, including the loss of comrades and witnessing Spartan sacrifices, reinforced his commitment to military duty and camaraderie. His background in philosophy and religion, studied during college, informs a Christian worldview that shapes his reflections on loss and honor.
His military background includes operations within the Coral asteroid belt and at the Jericho Space Elevator. On an assassination mission to the Covenant-controlled world of Heian, he served under Master Sergeant Cortez alongside Spartan Cal-141. Dutch initially displayed typical ODST skepticism toward Spartans, but the mission shifted his perspective. He witnessed Cal save fellow ODST O'Brien multiple times: lifting his submerged drop pod from a swamp and intervening during a Brute Chieftain's attack. Cal intercepted a gravity hammer strike meant for O'Brien, sustaining fatal injuries. After Dutch helped kill the Chieftain by shooting it in the face, the dying Cal urged O'Brien to complete the Prophet assassination. Her sacrifice and the revelation of her gender beneath the helmet profoundly impacted Dutch, fostering deep respect for Spartans. This change was evident when he later defended Cal's honor against mockery from another marine aboard the UNSC *Kronstadt*.
In later deployments, Dutch's combat role emphasized heavy weapons proficiency, notably with the M6 Spartan Laser, as observed by his squad leader Edward Buck. During the Battle of Earth in 2552, as part of Alpha-Nine led by Buck and deployed aboard the UNSC *Say My Name*, his drop pod landed in New Mombasa's Uplift Nature Reserve after an EMP disrupted the insertion. There, he aided Marine forces against Covenant armor, securing Warthogs and supporting embattled platoons, learning of the mission to secure a Tier One asset named Vergil. Dutch later defended a Marine rally point entrance before reuniting with his squad.
Dutch's experiences, including the loss of comrades and witnessing Spartan sacrifices, reinforced his commitment to military duty and camaraderie. His background in philosophy and religion, studied during college, informs a Christian worldview that shapes his reflections on loss and honor.