Wilber Miller's Story: Black Air Force Civilians in World War II
By Miller, Richard E.
Wilber Britt Miller is an outstanding example of the black civilians in the American South who helped to "keep them flying" during the Second World War. As one of the few qualified black aircraft mechanics in federal civil service at the start of the war, he was selected in 1942 to lead the cadre of black civilians sent from San Antonio, Texas to establish the Tuskegee Air Depot.
The son of a Methodist minister, Miller had a rather adventurous youth. He went to France with the U.S. Navy during the First World War, and in the early 1920s he served a "hitch" with the Army's 25th Infantry Regiment. He had always exhibited strong mechanical talents, but when he returned to settle in his native Texas, he found that because of his race he was barred from desirable job opportunities. Then, in 1935, he landed a position as a "helper" at the Army Air Corps' facility for third and fourth echelon aircraft maintenance, the air "depot" at Duncan Field (now Kelly Air Force Base) in San Antonio. In Mr. Miller's words:
“It took me three years on the register to get hired. Whenever I'd go out there would be three interviewees; myself and two Whites. They would always call one of the Whites and send me home. Finally, one day I was the only one to report. The man in charge said, "Oh, its you again. Well, I guess I'll have to hire you. Report to the supervisor, and keep your damn mouth shut!"
“Now, you need to understand--at that time they didn't even let a black man walk around with a screw driver in his pocket. If they caught you with one they'd fire you. They figured if you used the tools you could become familiar enough to become a "mechanic", and being a "mechanic" was for White men only! We Blacks were all "helpers."
Miller took advantage of every opportunity to demonstrate his intelligence and abilities, eventually winning the respect and support of his supervisors, and mastering the skills of an aviation structural technician. It was not until 1941, however, that he was officially advanced to the rating of junior mechanic.
In July of that year, the first 271 black men graduated from the Army Air Force's enlisted maintenance technician school at Chanute Field, Illinois. Those men were soon transferred to Tuskegee, Alabama, where they serviced training 99th Pursuit Squadron. Within two years most of the enlisted technicians would deploy to the Mediterranean Theater with that squadron as its ground crew members.
Prior to the 99th's departure, it was decided to train a force of black civilian mechanics in San Antonio who would provide ongoing support for the black flight school and service the new air deport at Tuskegee Army Air Field. Accordingly, Wilber Miller was handed his new assignment.
“I had five years behind me, “ he recalls, “when they came and asked me to find them 100 men who would make mechanics. I just got them off the street--men who looked like they had potential. I hired them as temporary federal employees at $65.00 a month. I didn't look for skills or experience, but I tried to get high school graduates. That way I knew I couldn't be faulted. A high school graduate had already demonstrated that he could be trained, and they [the Air Force] were going to take care of the training.”
The selectees were given up to twelve weeks of basic training at the Duncan Field aircraft mechanic school. It proved to be a very positive experience for all concerned. Despite the low pay, most considered it the opportunity of a lifetime. Racial "integration," however, was not part of the program. Whereas white counterparts might fill billets at facilities in their local communities, the black Texans were obliged to "ship out" for Tuskegee, Alabama, the home for America's "Black Air Force". Mr. Miller continues: "They told me, Take the men to tuskegee--when you get them there we'll advance you to journeyman mechanic. You can come right back, but you have to take them down there and show them around. …”
Source: Excerpt from Negro History Bulletin, Dec 1993
————-
Name: Wilber B Miller
Age: 81
Marriage Date: 14 Aug 1982
Marriage Place: Bexar, Texas, USA
Spouse: Lenora Davis
Spouse Age: 65
Texas, Marriage Index, 1824-2014
—————-
NOTE. ONE: Concerning Wilber Miller’s military service, the MATT2 was a US Navy rank used prior to 1943. It was the rank of Mess Attendant 2nd Class (Matt2c) in the Messman Branch, US Navy. In 1943, this Navy branch became the Steward Branch. Wilber Miller also served in the US Army from 15 July 1919 - 14 July 1920, and was released as a Private First Class (PFC).
NOTE TWO: Concerning Wilber Miller’s civilian service in WWII, he is a documented original Tuskegee Airman (DOTA).
According to researcher/historian and DOTA Theopolis W. Johnson, the following information relates to the “Tuskegee Experience”: “That is....anyone--man or woman, military or civilian, black or white--who served at Tuskegee Army Air Field or in any of the programs stemming from the ‘Tuskegee Experience’ between the years 1941 and 1949 is considered to be a documented original Tuskegee Airman (DOTA).
There were an estimated 16-19,000 persons in the above category of which 14,632 persons have been personally documented by Johnson. (As of 10/16/05)
Military Information: PFC, US ARMY
By Miller, Richard E.
Wilber Britt Miller is an outstanding example of the black civilians in the American South who helped to "keep them flying" during the Second World War. As one of the few qualified black aircraft mechanics in federal civil service at the start of the war, he was selected in 1942 to lead the cadre of black civilians sent from San Antonio, Texas to establish the Tuskegee Air Depot.
The son of a Methodist minister, Miller had a rather adventurous youth. He went to France with the U.S. Navy during the First World War, and in the early 1920s he served a "hitch" with the Army's 25th Infantry Regiment. He had always exhibited strong mechanical talents, but when he returned to settle in his native Texas, he found that because of his race he was barred from desirable job opportunities. Then, in 1935, he landed a position as a "helper" at the Army Air Corps' facility for third and fourth echelon aircraft maintenance, the air "depot" at Duncan Field (now Kelly Air Force Base) in San Antonio. In Mr. Miller's words:
“It took me three years on the register to get hired. Whenever I'd go out there would be three interviewees; myself and two Whites. They would always call one of the Whites and send me home. Finally, one day I was the only one to report. The man in charge said, "Oh, its you again. Well, I guess I'll have to hire you. Report to the supervisor, and keep your damn mouth shut!"
“Now, you need to understand--at that time they didn't even let a black man walk around with a screw driver in his pocket. If they caught you with one they'd fire you. They figured if you used the tools you could become familiar enough to become a "mechanic", and being a "mechanic" was for White men only! We Blacks were all "helpers."
Miller took advantage of every opportunity to demonstrate his intelligence and abilities, eventually winning the respect and support of his supervisors, and mastering the skills of an aviation structural technician. It was not until 1941, however, that he was officially advanced to the rating of junior mechanic.
In July of that year, the first 271 black men graduated from the Army Air Force's enlisted maintenance technician school at Chanute Field, Illinois. Those men were soon transferred to Tuskegee, Alabama, where they serviced training 99th Pursuit Squadron. Within two years most of the enlisted technicians would deploy to the Mediterranean Theater with that squadron as its ground crew members.
Prior to the 99th's departure, it was decided to train a force of black civilian mechanics in San Antonio who would provide ongoing support for the black flight school and service the new air deport at Tuskegee Army Air Field. Accordingly, Wilber Miller was handed his new assignment.
“I had five years behind me, “ he recalls, “when they came and asked me to find them 100 men who would make mechanics. I just got them off the street--men who looked like they had potential. I hired them as temporary federal employees at $65.00 a month. I didn't look for skills or experience, but I tried to get high school graduates. That way I knew I couldn't be faulted. A high school graduate had already demonstrated that he could be trained, and they [the Air Force] were going to take care of the training.”
The selectees were given up to twelve weeks of basic training at the Duncan Field aircraft mechanic school. It proved to be a very positive experience for all concerned. Despite the low pay, most considered it the opportunity of a lifetime. Racial "integration," however, was not part of the program. Whereas white counterparts might fill billets at facilities in their local communities, the black Texans were obliged to "ship out" for Tuskegee, Alabama, the home for America's "Black Air Force". Mr. Miller continues: "They told me, Take the men to tuskegee--when you get them there we'll advance you to journeyman mechanic. You can come right back, but you have to take them down there and show them around. …”
Source: Excerpt from Negro History Bulletin, Dec 1993
————-
Name: Wilber B Miller
Age: 81
Marriage Date: 14 Aug 1982
Marriage Place: Bexar, Texas, USA
Spouse: Lenora Davis
Spouse Age: 65
Texas, Marriage Index, 1824-2014
—————-
NOTE. ONE: Concerning Wilber Miller’s military service, the MATT2 was a US Navy rank used prior to 1943. It was the rank of Mess Attendant 2nd Class (Matt2c) in the Messman Branch, US Navy. In 1943, this Navy branch became the Steward Branch. Wilber Miller also served in the US Army from 15 July 1919 - 14 July 1920, and was released as a Private First Class (PFC).
NOTE TWO: Concerning Wilber Miller’s civilian service in WWII, he is a documented original Tuskegee Airman (DOTA).
According to researcher/historian and DOTA Theopolis W. Johnson, the following information relates to the “Tuskegee Experience”: “That is....anyone--man or woman, military or civilian, black or white--who served at Tuskegee Army Air Field or in any of the programs stemming from the ‘Tuskegee Experience’ between the years 1941 and 1949 is considered to be a documented original Tuskegee Airman (DOTA).
There were an estimated 16-19,000 persons in the above category of which 14,632 persons have been personally documented by Johnson. (As of 10/16/05)
Military Information: PFC, US ARMY
Wilber Miller's Story: Black Air Force Civilians in World War II
By Miller, Richard E.
Wilber Britt Miller is an outstanding example of the black civilians in the American South who helped to "keep them flying" during the Second World War. As one of the few qualified black aircraft mechanics in federal civil service at the start of the war, he was selected in 1942 to lead the cadre of black civilians sent from San Antonio, Texas to establish the Tuskegee Air Depot.
The son of a Methodist minister, Miller had a rather adventurous youth. He went to France with the U.S. Navy during the First World War, and in the early 1920s he served a "hitch" with the Army's 25th Infantry Regiment. He had always exhibited strong mechanical talents, but when he returned to settle in his native Texas, he found that because of his race he was barred from desirable job opportunities. Then, in 1935, he landed a position as a "helper" at the Army Air Corps' facility for third and fourth echelon aircraft maintenance, the air "depot" at Duncan Field (now Kelly Air Force Base) in San Antonio. In Mr. Miller's words:
“It took me three years on the register to get hired. Whenever I'd go out there would be three interviewees; myself and two Whites. They would always call one of the Whites and send me home. Finally, one day I was the only one to report. The man in charge said, "Oh, its you again. Well, I guess I'll have to hire you. Report to the supervisor, and keep your damn mouth shut!"
“Now, you need to understand--at that time they didn't even let a black man walk around with a screw driver in his pocket. If they caught you with one they'd fire you. They figured if you used the tools you could become familiar enough to become a "mechanic", and being a "mechanic" was for White men only! We Blacks were all "helpers."
Miller took advantage of every opportunity to demonstrate his intelligence and abilities, eventually winning the respect and support of his supervisors, and mastering the skills of an aviation structural technician. It was not until 1941, however, that he was officially advanced to the rating of junior mechanic.
In July of that year, the first 271 black men graduated from the Army Air Force's enlisted maintenance technician school at Chanute Field, Illinois. Those men were soon transferred to Tuskegee, Alabama, where they serviced training 99th Pursuit Squadron. Within two years most of the enlisted technicians would deploy to the Mediterranean Theater with that squadron as its ground crew members.
Prior to the 99th's departure, it was decided to train a force of black civilian mechanics in San Antonio who would provide ongoing support for the black flight school and service the new air deport at Tuskegee Army Air Field. Accordingly, Wilber Miller was handed his new assignment.
“I had five years behind me, “ he recalls, “when they came and asked me to find them 100 men who would make mechanics. I just got them off the street--men who looked like they had potential. I hired them as temporary federal employees at $65.00 a month. I didn't look for skills or experience, but I tried to get high school graduates. That way I knew I couldn't be faulted. A high school graduate had already demonstrated that he could be trained, and they [the Air Force] were going to take care of the training.”
The selectees were given up to twelve weeks of basic training at the Duncan Field aircraft mechanic school. It proved to be a very positive experience for all concerned. Despite the low pay, most considered it the opportunity of a lifetime. Racial "integration," however, was not part of the program. Whereas white counterparts might fill billets at facilities in their local communities, the black Texans were obliged to "ship out" for Tuskegee, Alabama, the home for America's "Black Air Force". Mr. Miller continues: "They told me, Take the men to tuskegee--when you get them there we'll advance you to journeyman mechanic. You can come right back, but you have to take them down there and show them around. …”
Source: Excerpt from Negro History Bulletin, Dec 1993
————-
Name: Wilber B Miller
Age: 81
Marriage Date: 14 Aug 1982
Marriage Place: Bexar, Texas, USA
Spouse: Lenora Davis
Spouse Age: 65
Texas, Marriage Index, 1824-2014
—————-
NOTE. ONE: Concerning Wilber Miller’s military service, the MATT2 was a US Navy rank used prior to 1943. It was the rank of Mess Attendant 2nd Class (Matt2c) in the Messman Branch, US Navy. In 1943, this Navy branch became the Steward Branch. Wilber Miller also served in the US Army from 15 July 1919 - 14 July 1920, and was released as a Private First Class (PFC).
NOTE TWO: Concerning Wilber Miller’s civilian service in WWII, he is a documented original Tuskegee Airman (DOTA).
According to researcher/historian and DOTA Theopolis W. Johnson, the following information relates to the “Tuskegee Experience”: “That is....anyone--man or woman, military or civilian, black or white--who served at Tuskegee Army Air Field or in any of the programs stemming from the ‘Tuskegee Experience’ between the years 1941 and 1949 is considered to be a documented original Tuskegee Airman (DOTA).
There were an estimated 16-19,000 persons in the above category of which 14,632 persons have been personally documented by Johnson. (As of 10/16/05)
Military Information: PFC, US ARMY
By Miller, Richard E.
Wilber Britt Miller is an outstanding example of the black civilians in the American South who helped to "keep them flying" during the Second World War. As one of the few qualified black aircraft mechanics in federal civil service at the start of the war, he was selected in 1942 to lead the cadre of black civilians sent from San Antonio, Texas to establish the Tuskegee Air Depot.
The son of a Methodist minister, Miller had a rather adventurous youth. He went to France with the U.S. Navy during the First World War, and in the early 1920s he served a "hitch" with the Army's 25th Infantry Regiment. He had always exhibited strong mechanical talents, but when he returned to settle in his native Texas, he found that because of his race he was barred from desirable job opportunities. Then, in 1935, he landed a position as a "helper" at the Army Air Corps' facility for third and fourth echelon aircraft maintenance, the air "depot" at Duncan Field (now Kelly Air Force Base) in San Antonio. In Mr. Miller's words:
“It took me three years on the register to get hired. Whenever I'd go out there would be three interviewees; myself and two Whites. They would always call one of the Whites and send me home. Finally, one day I was the only one to report. The man in charge said, "Oh, its you again. Well, I guess I'll have to hire you. Report to the supervisor, and keep your damn mouth shut!"
“Now, you need to understand--at that time they didn't even let a black man walk around with a screw driver in his pocket. If they caught you with one they'd fire you. They figured if you used the tools you could become familiar enough to become a "mechanic", and being a "mechanic" was for White men only! We Blacks were all "helpers."
Miller took advantage of every opportunity to demonstrate his intelligence and abilities, eventually winning the respect and support of his supervisors, and mastering the skills of an aviation structural technician. It was not until 1941, however, that he was officially advanced to the rating of junior mechanic.
In July of that year, the first 271 black men graduated from the Army Air Force's enlisted maintenance technician school at Chanute Field, Illinois. Those men were soon transferred to Tuskegee, Alabama, where they serviced training 99th Pursuit Squadron. Within two years most of the enlisted technicians would deploy to the Mediterranean Theater with that squadron as its ground crew members.
Prior to the 99th's departure, it was decided to train a force of black civilian mechanics in San Antonio who would provide ongoing support for the black flight school and service the new air deport at Tuskegee Army Air Field. Accordingly, Wilber Miller was handed his new assignment.
“I had five years behind me, “ he recalls, “when they came and asked me to find them 100 men who would make mechanics. I just got them off the street--men who looked like they had potential. I hired them as temporary federal employees at $65.00 a month. I didn't look for skills or experience, but I tried to get high school graduates. That way I knew I couldn't be faulted. A high school graduate had already demonstrated that he could be trained, and they [the Air Force] were going to take care of the training.”
The selectees were given up to twelve weeks of basic training at the Duncan Field aircraft mechanic school. It proved to be a very positive experience for all concerned. Despite the low pay, most considered it the opportunity of a lifetime. Racial "integration," however, was not part of the program. Whereas white counterparts might fill billets at facilities in their local communities, the black Texans were obliged to "ship out" for Tuskegee, Alabama, the home for America's "Black Air Force". Mr. Miller continues: "They told me, Take the men to tuskegee--when you get them there we'll advance you to journeyman mechanic. You can come right back, but you have to take them down there and show them around. …”
Source: Excerpt from Negro History Bulletin, Dec 1993
————-
Name: Wilber B Miller
Age: 81
Marriage Date: 14 Aug 1982
Marriage Place: Bexar, Texas, USA
Spouse: Lenora Davis
Spouse Age: 65
Texas, Marriage Index, 1824-2014
—————-
NOTE. ONE: Concerning Wilber Miller’s military service, the MATT2 was a US Navy rank used prior to 1943. It was the rank of Mess Attendant 2nd Class (Matt2c) in the Messman Branch, US Navy. In 1943, this Navy branch became the Steward Branch. Wilber Miller also served in the US Army from 15 July 1919 - 14 July 1920, and was released as a Private First Class (PFC).
NOTE TWO: Concerning Wilber Miller’s civilian service in WWII, he is a documented original Tuskegee Airman (DOTA).
According to researcher/historian and DOTA Theopolis W. Johnson, the following information relates to the “Tuskegee Experience”: “That is....anyone--man or woman, military or civilian, black or white--who served at Tuskegee Army Air Field or in any of the programs stemming from the ‘Tuskegee Experience’ between the years 1941 and 1949 is considered to be a documented original Tuskegee Airman (DOTA).
There were an estimated 16-19,000 persons in the above category of which 14,632 persons have been personally documented by Johnson. (As of 10/16/05)
Military Information: PFC, US ARMY
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