Career of Paul Miller in the Pacific

[gilles collaveri]

Hi all,

In 1942, Paul Miller flies a lot in the Pacific.

He starts as a B17 Co-pilot, he escapes Del Monte airport Mindanao in Apr. 1942 just before the Japanese invasion.

He thereafter performs many flights against the Japanese with the 36 F.Squadron “Black Panthers”, flying P39 Airacobra from Woodstock airfield Townsville and 7mile Drone.

As per “Pacific Wrecks” website, he flies on 28 May against 20 zeros above Port Moresby, on 1 june 1942 with 13 Airacobras against 18 Bombers and 9 zeros and he strafes Buna in New Guinea on 22/7/42.

Anymore information on his career in 1942 on the Pacific front ?

FYI, he flew in 1944 in Europe, belly landed in France with a P38 (see other post), and after the war he flew F80 in Korea, was a major in 1951, retired in 1965 and passed away in 1995 in Hawai.

Thanks a lot of you can provide me with some information on his career in the Pacific front.

GC

[Laurent Rizzotti]

There is no mention of him in the book "South Pacific Air War Volume 3. Coral Sea 1 Aftermath May-June 1942", that describes battles fought over New Guinea, NE Australia and Solomons during these two months. The book usually lists pilots being shot down or doing a claim, not all those involved.

I have not the book 4 of the series that cover July 1942.

[gilles collaveri]

Not easy to find information about the career of this pilot which seems to have been interrupted by a court martial on the 50's (or 60's),

There are no files in the US archives, no records about him after WWII, although it seems he flew in Korea, maybe Vietnam, and was involved in a secret weapon program.

any help to rebuild his career will be welcome

thanks a lot Laurent for having checked.

Best

GC

[KM1957]

Perhaps someone has the 36 FS and/or 8 FG records from Maxwell AFB which they would skim looking for him. If not, you can try ordering the rolls in question (they are now free).

Kent

[Edward]

2nd Lt. Paul S. Miller
O-427161
14th Bombardment Squadron, 19th BG
35th Pursuit Squadron, 8th PG - 17 May 1942
Flew combat at Port Moresby and Milne Bay during 1942
HQ 364th Fighter Group - 1944

[gilles collaveri]

thanks Ed and Kent .

piece after piece, the puzzle takes shape;

Gilles

[25Kingman49]

https://pacificwrecks.com/people/vet...aul/index.html

https://pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/p...ul-miller.html

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/...terling-miller

On Findagrave I am "Vindicator I"

[bearoutwest]

https://www.google.com.au/books/edit...sec=frontcover


Here's a list of USAAF victory claims. On p36 is where Miller would be listed under the 8th FG, but Paul Miller is not included.


Over the next few weeks, I'll be going through the South Pacific Air War volumes - for other purposes - but can keep half-an-eye on mentions of Paul Miller.


Regards, ...geoff

[gilles collaveri]

Thanks Geoff ,

this guy had an incredible career, and if you find any further information, it will be welcome.

I shall share with you his life at a later stage, when more data is available.

Best

Gilles

[gilles collaveri]

update :

you will find the whole story of Paul Miller, with the detail of his career on the link here under (translation in PDF at the beginning), with some nice pictures (copyright Miller Family). It was recently published in France in an aviation magazine.

This was a long investigation, but at the end, we could rebuild almost every footpath of this US Pilot, a fascinating story.
Enjoy.
Gilles

https://aerocherche.fr/lincroyable-e...ote-americain/