 |
| B-26 radio operator Marshall Miller's plane crashed in Scotland. What remains of the plane is still there. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/26216758/marshall-r-miller https://www.peakdistrictaircrashes.co.uk/crash_sites/scotland/martin-b-26c-41-34707-beinn-na-feusaige/ |
Marshall Robert Miller, Jr. never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.
Announcement: In just a few days we will be starting a project that will result in the stories of all 400,000 plus of the World War 2 fallen at one online location. There will be an accompanying smart phone app to allow users visiting any war memorial to scan the fallen serviceman's name and be linked to his story. Watch this blog or join the WW2 Fallen 100 Facebook page to learn of upcoming details.
He was born on February 1, 1920 in Texas. His parents Marshall and Emma were born in Arkansas and Texas. His father worked as an automobile mechanic and later as a fire department mechanic. Marshall had two younger brothers. By 1940 Marshall had completed two years of college and was still living at home.
He was drafted into the army on June 19, 1942. He volunteered for the Army Air Forces and eventually became a staff sergeant and radio operator in the 445th Bombardment Squadron, 323rd Bombardment Group, which was equipped with B-26 Marauders. The 323rd BG was ordered overseas in May 1943. Ground crew were sent to England on the Queen Elizabeth, while the air crews flew the planes over the northern ferry route with a stop in Iceland before the final leg to the British Isles.
On June 3, 1943, the weather was poor as Sgt. Miller's plane approached Scotland. It had veered a little off course and hit Beinn na Fuesaige Mountain. An account of this flight can be found at: https://www.peakdistrictaircrashes.co.uk/crash_sites/scotland/martin-b-26c-41-34707-beinn-na-feusaige/
His grave is at Oakwood Cemetery Annex in Austin, Texas.
Last year on this date I profiled Normandy fallen David Ackerman, 90th Infantry Division. You can read about David 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
Thank you SGT. Miller for your dedication to your country and it's people! You served when there was a call! You lost your life in the process. I can only say thank you for your service! God Bless you and your family, that had to live the rest of their lives without you! RIP.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for posting this. I am a historian for MacDIll Field where Marshall trained. I have added his name and information to the history file so we can honor his life and sacrifice. I sure would like to learn more about him. If any family members would be kind enough to provide some information on him, please contact me on the MacDill Army Airfield facebook group or email me. I would really like to add the story of his complete life to MacDills history.
ReplyDelete