2nd LT. PHILIP B MILLER

To read 2nd Lieutenant Miller's entire 1973 published 42 page memoir, open the file at the bottom of the page. 

Philip B Miller enlisted in the Army in January of 1942, from Southwest Michigan. After various and vigorous trainings across the US, he was sent to England and joined the 703rd Bomber Squadron of the 445th Bomber Group, as a replacement bombardier. (See crew photo below) The base he was stationed at was in Tibbenham, in the vicinity of Nottingham, England. After flying in 5 successful missions abroad his B-24, on April 1st, 1944 things would take a turn for his crew for the worse while on a bombing run over Ludwigshaven, Germany. 

After successfully dropping their bombs on the target, the plane (# 42-110029) would be hit by flak; two engines were out and a third flattering, losing 50 MPH of speed and altitude quickly. Luckily, two P-51 pilots escorted the plane so it would not be a sitting duck as long as possible. However, once at about 5,000 feet in altitude, Miller described the scene, "Pilot Lafferty was ringing the bailout bell, indicating that it was his intention to jump and if he was leaving, the rest of us intended to do likewise. Garman and I opened the nose wheel door. I motioned him to go and he motioned me to do the honors. Frankly neither one of us was enthusiastic about jumping into that open air. I looked again at the revolving altimeter, put my feet into the open hatch and dropped through. After the war, Lafferty (who evaded capture) said that the third engine had quit before he left. When I dropped out everything suddenly became quiet. I pulled the rip cord to open my parachute but it didn't open. I began pulling the cloth out with my hands and it remained tangled in the center but began to billow out on both sides of the tangled part. The shroud lines were twisted and I rotated myself in the air and jerked on the lines to get as much air in the chute as possible. I never looked at the ground, being too busy looking up. I hit the ground with a severe jolt which dazed me and knocked my breath out. I tried hard to breathe but couldn't. Finally I quit trying and immediately could breathe again." How 2nd Lt Miller survived this harsh landing is a near miracle. He was captured a few moments later by a German patrol car without a fight, and ultimately spent close to the next year in Stalag Luft I. He was liberated on May 1st, 1945. Returning home back to Michigan, until his death in 2001. 

Of the original crew and 5 evaded, 3 became POW (2 were listed MIA) and 2 crew members KIA. 8 parachutes were seen to have come out by another B-24 Liberator. Interesting to note, the plane itself did not crash after most of the crew bailed out, but it was flown for about another 150 miles until the crew of B-24 Liberator, "BoysHowdy," saw it wreck down in English channel. 

Showcased are some of Lt. Miller's artifacts: his Irvin Co. caterpillar club pin, matching club card, two original red cross pow packages, some souvenirs and a letter, which is stamped MIA. To read the tremendous journey in full, see file below. Thank you for your service, Lt. Miller.