First Lieutenant Henry John Miller Jr, Army serial number O-696503, was born at Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania on August 1, 1921. His parents were Henry John Miller Sr (18 Oct 1896 – 31 May 1963) and Gertrude Viola (Kenealey) Miller (20 Jul 1903 – 17 Aug 1969). His father was an advertising designer and executive. He had at least three brothers: William Edward Miller (8 Mar 1924 – 9 Mar 1986), Robert Allan Miller (14 Mar 1925 – 9 Dec 2015), and Paul Thomas Miller (12 Feb 1934 – 3 Jan 2005).
He graduated from Schenley High School in Pittsburgh and was attending Carnegie Institute of Technology when he entered the service.
He registered for the draft at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on February 16, 1942. He was 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighed 148 pounds, and had gray eyes and blonde hair. At that time he was employed by Westinghouse Electric Company in East Pittsburgh. He completed three years of college and worked as an electrician. He was single when he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on September 25, 1942. He was called to active duty on November 21, 1942. His home of record was his parents' address at 4427 Howley Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
He completed Army Air Forces bombardier training, and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant on October 23, 1943. He was assigned as bombardier on the heavy bomber crew of Lt Richard F. Lee in the 836th Bomb Squadron of the 487th Bomb Group. This Group completed B-24 crew training at Alamogordo Army Air Base, New Mexico, and deployed to England in March 1944. Lt Lee's crew flew B-24H 42-52657 from Alamogordo, New Mexico to Lavenham, England via the southern Atlantic ferry route—a journey of about 10,000 miles—and arrived in England by mid-April 1944. The 487th Bomb Group was based at Army Air Forces Station 137 near Lavenham, Suffolk, England, and was part of the 8th U.S. Army Air Force in Europe.
By August 1944 the 487th Bomb Group transitioned to flying the B-17 'Flying Fortress'; and by September 1944 Lt Miller was assigned as navigator on the crew of Lt Harold E. Oesch in the 836th Bomb Squadron. (Lt Oesch was Lt Lee's original copilot.) Here is Lt Oesch's crew roster on September 30, 1944:
B-17G 43-38154 – 836th Bomb Squadron
• Oesch, Harold E – 1/Lt – Pilot – KIA
• Furr, Wilburn E – 2/Lt – Copilot – KIA
• Miller Jr, Henry J – 1/Lt – Navigator – KIA
• Zalneraitis, Vitold A – 1/Lt – Bombardier – POW
• Volavka, Melo – T/Sgt – Engineer – KIA
• Stanley, Martin E – T/Sgt – Radio Operator – KIA
• Graves, Hudie E – S/Sgt – Ball Turret Gunner – KIA
• Green, Willard A – S/Sgt – Tail Gunner – KIA
• Focht, William J – S/Sgt – Waist Gunner – KIA
On September 30, 1944, the 487th Bomb Group took off from Lavenham Airfield to bomb the railroad marshalling yards at Bielefeld, Germany. The Oesch crew flew B-17G 43-38154 'Heavenly Body' on this mission. Lt Miller and seven of his crewmates were killed in action when their aircraft collided with another aircraft just after bombs away over Bielefeld. Apparently Lt Oesch, flying in the number 7 position of the Low Squadron, was caught in prop wash turbulence during the descending turn away from the target. His aircraft flipped over on its back and collided with B-17G 43-38037 'Liberty Belle', piloted by Lt Raymond F. Jackson, who was flying in the number 9 position. (Note: This is based on an eyewitness account, and differs from the report in MACR 9423.) 'Liberty Belle' lost its outboard starboard wing, and both ships went down. Lt Zalneraitis, bombardier on the Oesch crew, was able to parachute safely and survived as a prisoner of war. Seven members of the Jackson crew were killed; two survived.
Lt Miller's remains were returned to the United States and interred at Allegheny Cemetery in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on July 18, 1949. He is buried in Section 40, Lot 264, Grave 1. His parents are buried in the same lot in graves 4 and 5.
Sources:
1. 487th Bomb Group Association
2. 1930 US Census; Pennsylvania; Allegheny County; Pittsburgh. Miller, Henry J. Apr 1930 (his father)
3. 1940 US Census; Pennsylvania; Allegheny County; Pittsburgh; Ward 9; 4427 Howley. Miller, Henry. 2 Apr 1940 (his father)
4. Cemetery records of Allegheny Cemetery, 4734 Butler Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15201
5. de Jong, Ivo. The History of the 487th Bomb Group (H). Paducah KY: Turner Publishing, Oct 2004
6. Enlistment record of Henry J. Miller Jr
7. HQ, 359th Combat Crew Training School, Alamogordo Army Air Base, New Mexico. Special Orders Number 71. 11 March 1944 (487th Bomb Group flight echelon order to proceed from Alamogordo, New Mexico, to Herington, Kansas, during the deployment to England)
8. Henry J. Miller Jr in MILLER family tree at ancestry.com
9. Obituary of Anna Agnes (Vetter) Miller (14 Mar 1877 – 8 Apr 1923) (his father's mother)
10. Pennsylvania Death Certificate of Anna Agnes (Vetter) Miller (14 Mar 1877 – 8 Apr 1923) (his father's mother)
11. U.S. Army Air Forces Missing Air Crew Report 9423
12. U.S. Rosters of World War II Dead, 1939-1945
13. U.S. War Department. World War II Honor List of Dead and Missing Army and Army Air Forces Personnel. Washington, D.C., June 1946
14. U.S. World War II Draft Cards, Young Men, 1940–1947 (ancestry.com)
15. World War I Draft Registration of Henry J. Miller. 5 Jun 1918 (his father); Note: The form is stamped JUN 5 1918, but it is the form for the draft registration of July 5, 1918.
Research by:
Paul Webber
Secretary, 487th Bomb Group Association
Find A Grave member ID 47577572
He graduated from Schenley High School in Pittsburgh and was attending Carnegie Institute of Technology when he entered the service.
He registered for the draft at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on February 16, 1942. He was 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighed 148 pounds, and had gray eyes and blonde hair. At that time he was employed by Westinghouse Electric Company in East Pittsburgh. He completed three years of college and worked as an electrician. He was single when he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on September 25, 1942. He was called to active duty on November 21, 1942. His home of record was his parents' address at 4427 Howley Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
He completed Army Air Forces bombardier training, and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant on October 23, 1943. He was assigned as bombardier on the heavy bomber crew of Lt Richard F. Lee in the 836th Bomb Squadron of the 487th Bomb Group. This Group completed B-24 crew training at Alamogordo Army Air Base, New Mexico, and deployed to England in March 1944. Lt Lee's crew flew B-24H 42-52657 from Alamogordo, New Mexico to Lavenham, England via the southern Atlantic ferry route—a journey of about 10,000 miles—and arrived in England by mid-April 1944. The 487th Bomb Group was based at Army Air Forces Station 137 near Lavenham, Suffolk, England, and was part of the 8th U.S. Army Air Force in Europe.
By August 1944 the 487th Bomb Group transitioned to flying the B-17 'Flying Fortress'; and by September 1944 Lt Miller was assigned as navigator on the crew of Lt Harold E. Oesch in the 836th Bomb Squadron. (Lt Oesch was Lt Lee's original copilot.) Here is Lt Oesch's crew roster on September 30, 1944:
B-17G 43-38154 – 836th Bomb Squadron
• Oesch, Harold E – 1/Lt – Pilot – KIA
• Furr, Wilburn E – 2/Lt – Copilot – KIA
• Miller Jr, Henry J – 1/Lt – Navigator – KIA
• Zalneraitis, Vitold A – 1/Lt – Bombardier – POW
• Volavka, Melo – T/Sgt – Engineer – KIA
• Stanley, Martin E – T/Sgt – Radio Operator – KIA
• Graves, Hudie E – S/Sgt – Ball Turret Gunner – KIA
• Green, Willard A – S/Sgt – Tail Gunner – KIA
• Focht, William J – S/Sgt – Waist Gunner – KIA
On September 30, 1944, the 487th Bomb Group took off from Lavenham Airfield to bomb the railroad marshalling yards at Bielefeld, Germany. The Oesch crew flew B-17G 43-38154 'Heavenly Body' on this mission. Lt Miller and seven of his crewmates were killed in action when their aircraft collided with another aircraft just after bombs away over Bielefeld. Apparently Lt Oesch, flying in the number 7 position of the Low Squadron, was caught in prop wash turbulence during the descending turn away from the target. His aircraft flipped over on its back and collided with B-17G 43-38037 'Liberty Belle', piloted by Lt Raymond F. Jackson, who was flying in the number 9 position. (Note: This is based on an eyewitness account, and differs from the report in MACR 9423.) 'Liberty Belle' lost its outboard starboard wing, and both ships went down. Lt Zalneraitis, bombardier on the Oesch crew, was able to parachute safely and survived as a prisoner of war. Seven members of the Jackson crew were killed; two survived.
Lt Miller's remains were returned to the United States and interred at Allegheny Cemetery in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on July 18, 1949. He is buried in Section 40, Lot 264, Grave 1. His parents are buried in the same lot in graves 4 and 5.
Sources:
1. 487th Bomb Group Association
2. 1930 US Census; Pennsylvania; Allegheny County; Pittsburgh. Miller, Henry J. Apr 1930 (his father)
3. 1940 US Census; Pennsylvania; Allegheny County; Pittsburgh; Ward 9; 4427 Howley. Miller, Henry. 2 Apr 1940 (his father)
4. Cemetery records of Allegheny Cemetery, 4734 Butler Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15201
5. de Jong, Ivo. The History of the 487th Bomb Group (H). Paducah KY: Turner Publishing, Oct 2004
6. Enlistment record of Henry J. Miller Jr
7. HQ, 359th Combat Crew Training School, Alamogordo Army Air Base, New Mexico. Special Orders Number 71. 11 March 1944 (487th Bomb Group flight echelon order to proceed from Alamogordo, New Mexico, to Herington, Kansas, during the deployment to England)
8. Henry J. Miller Jr in MILLER family tree at ancestry.com
9. Obituary of Anna Agnes (Vetter) Miller (14 Mar 1877 – 8 Apr 1923) (his father's mother)
10. Pennsylvania Death Certificate of Anna Agnes (Vetter) Miller (14 Mar 1877 – 8 Apr 1923) (his father's mother)
11. U.S. Army Air Forces Missing Air Crew Report 9423
12. U.S. Rosters of World War II Dead, 1939-1945
13. U.S. War Department. World War II Honor List of Dead and Missing Army and Army Air Forces Personnel. Washington, D.C., June 1946
14. U.S. World War II Draft Cards, Young Men, 1940–1947 (ancestry.com)
15. World War I Draft Registration of Henry J. Miller. 5 Jun 1918 (his father); Note: The form is stamped JUN 5 1918, but it is the form for the draft registration of July 5, 1918.
Research by:
Paul Webber
Secretary, 487th Bomb Group Association
Find A Grave member ID 47577572
First Lieutenant Henry John Miller Jr, Army serial number O-696503, was born at Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania on August 1, 1921. His parents were Henry John Miller Sr (18 Oct 1896 – 31 May 1963) and Gertrude Viola (Kenealey) Miller (20 Jul 1903 – 17 Aug 1969). His father was an advertising designer and executive. He had at least three brothers: William Edward Miller (8 Mar 1924 – 9 Mar 1986), Robert Allan Miller (14 Mar 1925 – 9 Dec 2015), and Paul Thomas Miller (12 Feb 1934 – 3 Jan 2005).
He graduated from Schenley High School in Pittsburgh and was attending Carnegie Institute of Technology when he entered the service.
He registered for the draft at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on February 16, 1942. He was 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighed 148 pounds, and had gray eyes and blonde hair. At that time he was employed by Westinghouse Electric Company in East Pittsburgh. He completed three years of college and worked as an electrician. He was single when he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on September 25, 1942. He was called to active duty on November 21, 1942. His home of record was his parents' address at 4427 Howley Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
He completed Army Air Forces bombardier training, and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant on October 23, 1943. He was assigned as bombardier on the heavy bomber crew of Lt Richard F. Lee in the 836th Bomb Squadron of the 487th Bomb Group. This Group completed B-24 crew training at Alamogordo Army Air Base, New Mexico, and deployed to England in March 1944. Lt Lee's crew flew B-24H 42-52657 from Alamogordo, New Mexico to Lavenham, England via the southern Atlantic ferry route—a journey of about 10,000 miles—and arrived in England by mid-April 1944. The 487th Bomb Group was based at Army Air Forces Station 137 near Lavenham, Suffolk, England, and was part of the 8th U.S. Army Air Force in Europe.
By August 1944 the 487th Bomb Group transitioned to flying the B-17 'Flying Fortress'; and by September 1944 Lt Miller was assigned as navigator on the crew of Lt Harold E. Oesch in the 836th Bomb Squadron. (Lt Oesch was Lt Lee's original copilot.) Here is Lt Oesch's crew roster on September 30, 1944:
B-17G 43-38154 – 836th Bomb Squadron
• Oesch, Harold E – 1/Lt – Pilot – KIA
• Furr, Wilburn E – 2/Lt – Copilot – KIA
• Miller Jr, Henry J – 1/Lt – Navigator – KIA
• Zalneraitis, Vitold A – 1/Lt – Bombardier – POW
• Volavka, Melo – T/Sgt – Engineer – KIA
• Stanley, Martin E – T/Sgt – Radio Operator – KIA
• Graves, Hudie E – S/Sgt – Ball Turret Gunner – KIA
• Green, Willard A – S/Sgt – Tail Gunner – KIA
• Focht, William J – S/Sgt – Waist Gunner – KIA
On September 30, 1944, the 487th Bomb Group took off from Lavenham Airfield to bomb the railroad marshalling yards at Bielefeld, Germany. The Oesch crew flew B-17G 43-38154 'Heavenly Body' on this mission. Lt Miller and seven of his crewmates were killed in action when their aircraft collided with another aircraft just after bombs away over Bielefeld. Apparently Lt Oesch, flying in the number 7 position of the Low Squadron, was caught in prop wash turbulence during the descending turn away from the target. His aircraft flipped over on its back and collided with B-17G 43-38037 'Liberty Belle', piloted by Lt Raymond F. Jackson, who was flying in the number 9 position. (Note: This is based on an eyewitness account, and differs from the report in MACR 9423.) 'Liberty Belle' lost its outboard starboard wing, and both ships went down. Lt Zalneraitis, bombardier on the Oesch crew, was able to parachute safely and survived as a prisoner of war. Seven members of the Jackson crew were killed; two survived.
Lt Miller's remains were returned to the United States and interred at Allegheny Cemetery in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on July 18, 1949. He is buried in Section 40, Lot 264, Grave 1. His parents are buried in the same lot in graves 4 and 5.
Sources:
1. 487th Bomb Group Association
2. 1930 US Census; Pennsylvania; Allegheny County; Pittsburgh. Miller, Henry J. Apr 1930 (his father)
3. 1940 US Census; Pennsylvania; Allegheny County; Pittsburgh; Ward 9; 4427 Howley. Miller, Henry. 2 Apr 1940 (his father)
4. Cemetery records of Allegheny Cemetery, 4734 Butler Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15201
5. de Jong, Ivo. The History of the 487th Bomb Group (H). Paducah KY: Turner Publishing, Oct 2004
6. Enlistment record of Henry J. Miller Jr
7. HQ, 359th Combat Crew Training School, Alamogordo Army Air Base, New Mexico. Special Orders Number 71. 11 March 1944 (487th Bomb Group flight echelon order to proceed from Alamogordo, New Mexico, to Herington, Kansas, during the deployment to England)
8. Henry J. Miller Jr in MILLER family tree at ancestry.com
9. Obituary of Anna Agnes (Vetter) Miller (14 Mar 1877 – 8 Apr 1923) (his father's mother)
10. Pennsylvania Death Certificate of Anna Agnes (Vetter) Miller (14 Mar 1877 – 8 Apr 1923) (his father's mother)
11. U.S. Army Air Forces Missing Air Crew Report 9423
12. U.S. Rosters of World War II Dead, 1939-1945
13. U.S. War Department. World War II Honor List of Dead and Missing Army and Army Air Forces Personnel. Washington, D.C., June 1946
14. U.S. World War II Draft Cards, Young Men, 1940–1947 (ancestry.com)
15. World War I Draft Registration of Henry J. Miller. 5 Jun 1918 (his father); Note: The form is stamped JUN 5 1918, but it is the form for the draft registration of July 5, 1918.
Research by:
Paul Webber
Secretary, 487th Bomb Group Association
Find A Grave member ID 47577572
He graduated from Schenley High School in Pittsburgh and was attending Carnegie Institute of Technology when he entered the service.
He registered for the draft at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on February 16, 1942. He was 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighed 148 pounds, and had gray eyes and blonde hair. At that time he was employed by Westinghouse Electric Company in East Pittsburgh. He completed three years of college and worked as an electrician. He was single when he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on September 25, 1942. He was called to active duty on November 21, 1942. His home of record was his parents' address at 4427 Howley Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
He completed Army Air Forces bombardier training, and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant on October 23, 1943. He was assigned as bombardier on the heavy bomber crew of Lt Richard F. Lee in the 836th Bomb Squadron of the 487th Bomb Group. This Group completed B-24 crew training at Alamogordo Army Air Base, New Mexico, and deployed to England in March 1944. Lt Lee's crew flew B-24H 42-52657 from Alamogordo, New Mexico to Lavenham, England via the southern Atlantic ferry route—a journey of about 10,000 miles—and arrived in England by mid-April 1944. The 487th Bomb Group was based at Army Air Forces Station 137 near Lavenham, Suffolk, England, and was part of the 8th U.S. Army Air Force in Europe.
By August 1944 the 487th Bomb Group transitioned to flying the B-17 'Flying Fortress'; and by September 1944 Lt Miller was assigned as navigator on the crew of Lt Harold E. Oesch in the 836th Bomb Squadron. (Lt Oesch was Lt Lee's original copilot.) Here is Lt Oesch's crew roster on September 30, 1944:
B-17G 43-38154 – 836th Bomb Squadron
• Oesch, Harold E – 1/Lt – Pilot – KIA
• Furr, Wilburn E – 2/Lt – Copilot – KIA
• Miller Jr, Henry J – 1/Lt – Navigator – KIA
• Zalneraitis, Vitold A – 1/Lt – Bombardier – POW
• Volavka, Melo – T/Sgt – Engineer – KIA
• Stanley, Martin E – T/Sgt – Radio Operator – KIA
• Graves, Hudie E – S/Sgt – Ball Turret Gunner – KIA
• Green, Willard A – S/Sgt – Tail Gunner – KIA
• Focht, William J – S/Sgt – Waist Gunner – KIA
On September 30, 1944, the 487th Bomb Group took off from Lavenham Airfield to bomb the railroad marshalling yards at Bielefeld, Germany. The Oesch crew flew B-17G 43-38154 'Heavenly Body' on this mission. Lt Miller and seven of his crewmates were killed in action when their aircraft collided with another aircraft just after bombs away over Bielefeld. Apparently Lt Oesch, flying in the number 7 position of the Low Squadron, was caught in prop wash turbulence during the descending turn away from the target. His aircraft flipped over on its back and collided with B-17G 43-38037 'Liberty Belle', piloted by Lt Raymond F. Jackson, who was flying in the number 9 position. (Note: This is based on an eyewitness account, and differs from the report in MACR 9423.) 'Liberty Belle' lost its outboard starboard wing, and both ships went down. Lt Zalneraitis, bombardier on the Oesch crew, was able to parachute safely and survived as a prisoner of war. Seven members of the Jackson crew were killed; two survived.
Lt Miller's remains were returned to the United States and interred at Allegheny Cemetery in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on July 18, 1949. He is buried in Section 40, Lot 264, Grave 1. His parents are buried in the same lot in graves 4 and 5.
Sources:
1. 487th Bomb Group Association
2. 1930 US Census; Pennsylvania; Allegheny County; Pittsburgh. Miller, Henry J. Apr 1930 (his father)
3. 1940 US Census; Pennsylvania; Allegheny County; Pittsburgh; Ward 9; 4427 Howley. Miller, Henry. 2 Apr 1940 (his father)
4. Cemetery records of Allegheny Cemetery, 4734 Butler Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15201
5. de Jong, Ivo. The History of the 487th Bomb Group (H). Paducah KY: Turner Publishing, Oct 2004
6. Enlistment record of Henry J. Miller Jr
7. HQ, 359th Combat Crew Training School, Alamogordo Army Air Base, New Mexico. Special Orders Number 71. 11 March 1944 (487th Bomb Group flight echelon order to proceed from Alamogordo, New Mexico, to Herington, Kansas, during the deployment to England)
8. Henry J. Miller Jr in MILLER family tree at ancestry.com
9. Obituary of Anna Agnes (Vetter) Miller (14 Mar 1877 – 8 Apr 1923) (his father's mother)
10. Pennsylvania Death Certificate of Anna Agnes (Vetter) Miller (14 Mar 1877 – 8 Apr 1923) (his father's mother)
11. U.S. Army Air Forces Missing Air Crew Report 9423
12. U.S. Rosters of World War II Dead, 1939-1945
13. U.S. War Department. World War II Honor List of Dead and Missing Army and Army Air Forces Personnel. Washington, D.C., June 1946
14. U.S. World War II Draft Cards, Young Men, 1940–1947 (ancestry.com)
15. World War I Draft Registration of Henry J. Miller. 5 Jun 1918 (his father); Note: The form is stamped JUN 5 1918, but it is the form for the draft registration of July 5, 1918.
Research by:
Paul Webber
Secretary, 487th Bomb Group Association
Find A Grave member ID 47577572
Inscription
HENRY J. MILLER JR.
1ST. LT. 8TH AIR FORCE A.A.F.
BORN AUG. 1, 1921
ENLISTED NOV. 21, 1942
KILLED IN ACTION SEPT. 30, 1944
Gravesite Details
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