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| Add caption https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/91603528 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_SBD_Dauntless |
William was born July 18, 1919 in Thomasville, North Carolina. His parents Melvin and Ora were also both born in North Carolina. His father worked in a furniture factory. William had one older sister and two younger sisters.
William enlisted in the US Navy as an apprentice seaman on 20 October 1937 and completed instruction at the Naval Training Station, Norfolk, Virginia. On 30 September 1938 he was assigned to Scouting Squadron 6 (VS-6), attached to the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise, flying as a radioman/gunner aboard Douglas SBD-3 Dauntless dive-bombers. S2c Miller served with VS-6 into 1941 and became the rear-seat man for Lt. Clarence E. Dickinson, Jr. around April of that year.
The Enterprise departed Pearl Harbor on 28 November 1941 to deliver a Marine Fighter Squadron to Wake Island. During the return voyage to Pearl Harbor the ship was delayed because of weather. On the morning of 7 December 1941, nine pairs of aircraft from VS-6, including the SBD-3 flown by Lt. Dickinson and RM1 Miller, departed early in the morning to fly to Ford Island to await the arrival of the Enterprise later that day.
As Lt. Dickinson and another Dauntless from VS-6 approached Oahu they became aware of smoke from the island, which they assumed was from burning sugar cane fields. They were puzzled to see numerous shell splashes in the water by the entrance to Pearl Harbor as well as antiaircraft bursts above Pearl Harbor. As they climbed to 4,000 feet nearing their destination they were unexpectedly attacked by Japanese planes and quickly realized that Pearl Harbor was under attack. Both planes quickly dove to 1,000 feet as they headed toward Pearl Harbor, in pursuit by Japanese fighters. RM1 Miller immediately unlimbered his .30-caliber machine guns in order to engage the Japanese aircraft. Attacking Zero fighters riddled Lt. Dickinson's plane, but Miller, already wounded once, downed one and ultimately exhausted his ammunition in the defense of his aircraft until it had been set afire. Lt. Dickinson called for Miller to bail out but received no answer. The pilot managed to get out of the falling plane but Miller, either dead or so severely wounded that he was unable to free himself from the aircraft, remained with it until it crashed into a cane field on Oahu.
For his devotion to duty despite his wounds, RM1 Miller was awarded a posthumous commendation by the Commander in Chief of the Pacific Fleet. The destroyer escort USS William C. Miller (DE 259) was named in his honor, received seven battle stars for her service, and was present in Tokyo Bay for the Japanese surrender.
William Cicero Miller is buried in Liberty Baptist Church Cemetery in Thomasville, North Carolina.
Thank you RM1 Miller for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for William.
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This profile was written by Bob Fuerst. "I’m a NASA engineer, B-17 Flying Fortress enthusiast, and amateur genealogist so this kind of research is an ideal outlet for me. But more than anything, it’s a way to express my sincere appreciation for The Greatest Generation and the sacrifices that they made, especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice. They should never be forgotten and I’m grateful to Don for allowing me to play a small part in honoring them."
Last year on this date I profiled Jack Leonard of the 82nd Airborne Division. You can read about Jack here.
On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!
I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.
Please consider joining the public Facebook group to increase the exposure of this project. Go to: WW2 Fallen 100
These actual events of Pearl Harbor are of great Heros were ready to sacrifice their lives with such bravery, loyal ,honor ,stremgth to the end defending ,protecting not only our Nation but also their fellow soldiers .This was proven by more and more events coming out here on this group which honors these Heros not only with the details but they give the a face , a name but even more they give them diginity , respect rathr than just be a number in those who fought and died in action ,In this case with William C. Miller heroic actions on that fateful day when Pearl Harbor was attacked ,he took one airplane down before he crashed into the cane field . I have been blessed by this Hero;s dedication and he has been in God's loving arms .Rest in Peace for your joob was well done ,I Salute You Sir!! To your family , loved ones , friens my prayers go out to them yet after reading your life events I am sure that all were proud of you ,I know I am > God Bless Sincerely Christine
ReplyDeleteI love reading these accounts. I wish I had time to read all of them, but wow, what a generation. We've got some great men and women serving nowadays, but it seems like they had extra back then. Keep up the great work -- Chuck
ReplyDeleteI am do glad to find this website about my Uncle WC Miller. My dad was his baby brother. So very proud to be a niece of WC Miller.
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